When it comes to pelvic fractures, one or several pelvis bones might be fragmented. These fractures can range from a small-sized bone chip that broke off, fractures from a slight force or even fractures from a strong blow.
The pelvic bones form the socket for the femur and with the thighbone to form the hip joint. The pelvis is connected to the tailbone by the ligaments at the base of the spine. Several ligaments hold these bones in place. The thigh muscles are attached to the pelvis by the tendons.
What are the causes?
Among young adults, severe cases of pelvic fractures stem from vehicular accidents or falls from a height. These fractures can result to life-threatening bleeding whether the skin is broken or not. A drop in the blood pressure can occur. In addition, nearby organs and nerves such as reproductive organs, bladder and intestines might be damaged.
Among older individuals, osteoporosis causes weakening of the bones. With this in mind, the pelvis can be fractured if they fall especially when going down stairs, getting out of a bathtub or even while standing on level ground.
What are the indications of pelvic fractures?
In most cases of pelvic fractures, it can trigger significant pain in the groin region even when lying down or sitting. The pain becomes worse when the individual attempts to walk, but some are still able to do so. The area is often swollen and bruised. The individual might try to keep the knee or hip in a bent position to avoid aggravating the pain.
If the pelvic fractures are severe and unstable, there is intense pain and the individual could not walk. Nevertheless, some cases of minor fractures are less painful. In case other structures are involved, there are also other symptoms. There is also blood in the urine, bleeding from the rectum or vagina and uncontrollable loss of urine.
In case the hip joint socket has been impaired, the individual is permanently disabled. Once the bleeding is significant enough to cause shock or if other organs are involved, it can lead to death.
Management
Once an individual is in a major accident, he/she must be taken to the nearest emergency department so that any serious injuries can be treated. If the bleeding is severe, proper steps must be taken right away to stop the bleeding.
Minor and stable pelvic fractures
This type of fracture usually heals without resulting to lasting disabilities. Surgery is rarely required but bed rest is needed.
- Pain medications can be given to alleviate the pain so that the individual can walk.
- Weakness, stiffness and other complications from bed rest can be prevented by encouraging the individual to walk, stand or place full weight on the joint as soon as possible, even for a short period of time.
Severe pelvic fractures
These fractures are often unstable and requires immobilization.
- The joint is stabilized by the emergency team by wrapping the area with strips of cloth or using a binder specifically for this purpose until the injury can be permanently stabilized.
- In cases where there are other serious injuries, the doctor might attach a rigid metal frame to the pelvis outside the body using long screws that are inserted via the skin into the bones.
- For more stable injuries, surgery is performed to align the broken pieces of bone and to insert plates and screws to secure in place.