Abstract: Objective : To retrospectively reviewed the operative therapy of the terrible triad of the elbow. Methods: From January 2009 to September 2010, 7 cases of terrible triad of the elbow were treated, with an elbow dislocation and an associated fracture of both the radial head and the coronoid process. There were 6 males and 1 females with the age of 24-36 years. The injury was caused by falling from a height in 5 cases, traffi c accidents in 1 case, and tumbling in 1 case. The coronoid process fractures of the patients were 1 cases of type I, 6 cases of type II according to Regan-Morrey classification. The radial head fractures of the patients were 1 case of type I, 3 cases of type II and 2 case of type III according to Mason classifi cation, and 1 case companied with radial neck fracture.All the patients were treated with operation. coronoid process fracture,. radial head fracture and medial collateral ligaments were repaired in operation. Postoperatively, plaster fixation were given. The function of the elbows were evaluated with the criteria of the Mayo score system. Results: The wounds healed by first intention. The patients were followed up 5 to 15 mouths (mean 11.2 months). According to the criteriaof the Mayo score, the results were excellent in 3 cases, good in 2 cases, poor in 1 case, bad in 1 case. Ossification occurred in 1 patient. Conclusion: The terrible triad of the elbow can lead to serious elbow instability and should be treated with operation to restore the bone and soft structures, early exercise can avoid immobilization and recover the articular function.

Key words: Terrible triad fracture, Elbow joint, Operation, Function reconstruction