Prediction and Potential Preventions for the Development of Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis after the Terrible Triad...

A multicenter study to evaluate risk factors for the development of moderate or severe posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) and to find potential preventions.

We conducted a retrospective multicenter study including the terrible triad injury (TTI) patients with surgical treatment from January 2007 to November 2014. Demographics, injury information, and treatment history were obtained retrospectively. According to the Broberg and Morrey criterion, 198 included patients were sorted into two groups: the mild or no PTOA and moderate or severe PTOA. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for moderate or severe PTOA.

Moderate or severe PTOA was present in 64 patients (32.3%). Significant risk factors were Mason III radial head fracture (OR 4.049, 95% CI 1.877-8.736, p < 0.001), medial collateral ligament injury (OR 5.120, 95% CI 1.261-20.790, p = 0.022), and heavy use of elbow (OR 2.333, 95% CI 1.060-5.136, p = 0.035). Besides, patients suffered subluxation (p = 0.007) and those with more risk factors had a higher risk to develop moderate or severe PTOA.

Moderate or severe PTOA was common after the TTI. Patients need to be counseled about avoiding heavy use of the elbow, especially for those with Mason III radial head fractures. Surgeons should be aware of the recurrent instability of the elbow.