Dislocations: terrible triad of the elbow: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Dislocations: terrible triad of the elbow

Sample item

Which combination constitutes the terrible triad of the elbow?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Elbow dislocation, radial head fracture and coronoid fracture

The terrible triad is a posterior elbow dislocation with fractures of the radial head and the coronoid process. It is highly unstable and has poor outcomes, so it needs surgical fixation.

Option by option

  • A. Elbow dislocation, radial head fracture and coronoid fracture (correct)

    Correct. Dislocation with radial head and coronoid fractures forms the triad.

  • B. Elbow dislocation, olecranon fracture and medial epicondyle fracture

    Olecranon and medial epicondyle fractures are not part of the triad.

  • C. Supracondylar fracture, radial head dislocation and ulnar fracture

    This combination does not describe a named triad.

  • D. Capitellum fracture, lateral condyle fracture and radial neck fracture

    These fractures do not constitute the terrible triad.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is A, Elbow dislocation, radial head fracture and coronoid fracture. The terrible triad is a posterior elbow dislocation with fractures of the radial head and the coronoid process.

Why is "Elbow dislocation, olecranon fracture and medial epicondyle fracture" not the answer?

Olecranon and medial epicondyle fractures are not part of the triad.

Why is "Supracondylar fracture, radial head dislocation and ulnar fracture" not the answer?

This combination does not describe a named triad.

Why is "Capitellum fracture, lateral condyle fracture and radial neck fracture" not the answer?

These fractures do not constitute the terrible triad.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dislocations: terrible triad of the elbow in Orthopaedics. It is highly unstable and has poor outcomes, so it needs surgical fixation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Dislocations: terrible triad of the elbow?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.