Elbow is the most important joint of upper limb, which mainly completes flexion, extension and forearm rotation activities. Radial head fracture, coronal process fracture and elbow dislocation often occur after elbow injury. When the posterior dislocation of elbow joint is combined with radial head fracture and ulnar coronoid process fracture, it is called "terrible triad of the elbow" . Objective To investigate the efficacy of anterior capsule repair in the surgical treatment of "terrible triad of the elbow" .

From May 2015 to December 2017, 8 patients with terrible triad of the elbow were treated by anterior joint capsule repair, and the bone healing was observed through imaging evaluation. The elbow joint function was assessed using Mayo elbow performance score.

All patients were followed up for 6 to 36 months with an average of 18 months. The incisions healed at the first stage. The fracture healing time ranged from 8 to 12 weeks with an average of 10 weeks. According to the follow up of 6 months after operation, the range of elbow flexion was 0°-15°, the range of elbow extension was 130°-145°, the average range of elbow motion was 115°, the range of elbow pronation was 60°-90°, the range of supination was 40°-70°, the average range of elbow rotation was 120°. There were no complications such as fragment displacement, internal fixation failure, locking plate and screw loosening or breakage, incision infection, heterotopic ossifications, etc. All the elbows recovered well, and according to Mayo elbow performance, there were 6 excellent cases and 2 good cases.

The stability of elbow joint is restored in the treatment of terrible triad of the elbow with anterior joint capsule repair. The complications are less, and the fracture healing is fast. With early regular rehabilitation exercise, the elbow joint function recovers well and the curative efficacy is exact.