# Elbow dislocation accompanied by ulnar coronoid process and radial head fractures: A report of a terrible triad injury in a child

## TL;DR

A 9-year-old girl suffered a rare elbow injury called the 'terrible triad' after a fall and made a successful recovery with proper treatment.

## Contribution

This is a rare pediatric case report of a 'terrible triad injury' with successful treatment and recovery outcomes.

## Key findings

- The patient underwent closed reduction and K-wire stabilization of the radial head.
- Three-month follow-up showed satisfactory elbow joint motion recovery.
- Prompt recognition and individualized treatment reduced complications like stiffness and arthritis.

## Abstract

Elbow dislocation with fractures of the coronoid process and radial head, known as ``terrible triad injury'' (TTI), is a serious injury that is common in adults but rare in children. This report describes the case of a 9-year-old girl who experienced TTI after falling from a height of approximately 2 meters. She underwent closed reduction of the dislocation and had a K-wire inserted to stabilize her radial head, with removal after 3 weeks, followed by rehabilitation, resulting in satisfactory recovery of elbow joint motion at the 3-month follow-up. This case demonstrates that successful outcomes can be achieved through careful evaluation, appropriate imaging, and individualized treatment plans, while highlighting the need for prompt recognition and treatment to reduce complications like stiffness and arthritis in this rare pediatric injury pattern.