An Observational Study of the “Unhappy Triad” in Female Athletes

Abstract

The “unhappy triad” (anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and medial meniscal tears) injury pattern in knee trauma, as originally described by O'Donoghue in 1950, has been taught in physician assistant and athletic training curriculum for decades. Our study suggests that female athletes sustain a different injury pattern, regarding knee trauma, that differs from the classic “unhappy triad” pattern.