The Terrible Triad usually involves injuries to which structures?

The Terrible Triad usually involves injuries to which structures?

• A. ACL injury; Medial Meniscus Injury; MCL injury
• B. ACL, PCL, LCL
• C. PCL, Lateral Meniscus, LCL
• D. ACL, Lateral Meniscus, MCL

Answer: (A)

The Terrible Triad refers to an injury pattern in the knee where the ACL, the MCL, and the medial meniscus are torn. This happens most often from a valgus force with the foot planted and often with a twist or external rotation, such as a lateral impact during sports. The MCL is stressed by the valgus force, and the medial meniscus is torn because it is closely connected to the MCL and the tibial plateau under that stress. Simultaneously, the ACL tears as the tibia shifts anteriorly during the twisting move. Because this mechanism specifically involves the ACL, medial collateral ligament, and medial meniscus, the triad is defined by these three structures, not by the PCL, LCL, or the lateral meniscus.

The Terrible Triad refers to an injury pattern in the knee where the ACL, the MCL, and the medial meniscus are torn. This happens most often from a valgus force with the foot planted and often with a twist or external rotation, such as a lateral impact during sports. The MCL is stressed by the valgus force, and the medial meniscus is torn because it is closely connected to the MCL and the tibial plateau under that stress. Simultaneously, the ACL tears as the tibia shifts anteriorly during the twisting move. Because this mechanism specifically involves the ACL, medial collateral ligament, and medial meniscus, the triad is defined by these three structures, not by the PCL, LCL, or the lateral meniscus.