Stephanie S. Martin, MD; Thomas J. Limbird, MD
The Terrible Triad of the Shoulder
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The concomitant presentation of a rotator cuff tear, brachial plexus injury, and an anterior shoulder dislocation has been termed the “terrible triad” of the shoulder.1-3 This combination of injuries has been reported previously only in patients over age 40. We report the case of an 18- year-old man with a simultaneous rotator cuff tear, brachial plexus injury, and anterior shoulder dislocation, showing that this terrible triad can occur in younger individuals than reported previously. We emphasize the need for a high index of suspicion when examining the multiple injuries of the shoulder.