Outcomes of Fixation of Radial Head Fractures with Kirschner Wire (K-Wire) in Adult Patients with Terrible Triad of Elbow Dislocations

Elbow dislocation is one of the most prevalent dislocations among adults, following shoulder dislocation. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Kirschner wire (K-wire) on fixation of comminuted radial head fracture when radial head prosthesis is inaccessible in terrible triad of elbow (TTE) dislocation.
In this retrospective study, a total of 21 adult patients with TTE dislocation, who were scheduled for fixation of radial head using K-wire, were enrolled according to the inclusion criteria. Variables, such as supination, pronation, range of flexion-extension motion, forearm rotation, and Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) index, were measured, and the patients were followed-up for 1 postoperative year.
After surgery, the mean forearm rotation and elbow joint flexion-extension range of motion were 121.42 ± 29.71 and 115.23 ± 32.34 in patients with TTE dislocation, respectively. Regarding the MEPS results, the mean MEPS score was above 70, and the majority of patients showed good performance in the follow-up.
Considering the limitations and side effects of prosthesis in TTE dislocation, K-wire can be used as an effective approach for fixing comminuted radial head fractures, such as TTE dislocation.