Patient education: Pelvic fracture (The Basics)

What is a pelvic fracture? — A "fracture" is another word for a broken bone. A pelvic fracture is when a person breaks their pelvis (figure 1).

There are different types of pelvic fractures, depending on the part of the pelvis that breaks and how it breaks.

Some pelvic fractures happen after falls or sports injuries. But most pelvic fractures happen from car accidents or other severe injuries. In these cases, there can also be damage to the organs, nerves, and blood vessels near the pelvis.

What are the symptoms of a pelvic fracture? — Symptoms can include:

●Pain

●Swelling

●Bruising

●Trouble walking or pain when walking

●Weakness or loss of feeling in the legs

Is there a test for a pelvic fracture? — Yes. Tests to check for a pelvic fracture can include:

●An X-ray of the pelvis

●Another imaging test of the pelvis, such as a CT scan – Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body.

How is a pelvic fracture treated? — Treatment depends on the type of pelvic fracture you have and how severe it is.

A mild pelvic fracture is usually treated with:

●Rest

●Ice – You can put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the area every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and the skin. Use the ice (or other cold object) for at least 6 hours after the injury. Some people find it helpful to ice up to 2 days after an injury.

●Crutches or a walker to help with walking

Right after an injury, doctors usually treat a severe pelvic fracture by putting a splint or other binding material around the pelvis. This holds it in place while it heals.

Then, a severe pelvic fracture is treated with surgery to put the pelvis back in the correct position. During surgery, the doctor might:

●Use screws, pins, rods, or plates to fix the bone inside the body

●Put pins or screws through the skin and into the bone, then attach them to a bar that is outside the skin

Treatment for a pelvic fracture also includes medicine to treat the pain. Doctors can prescribe a strong pain medicine if a person has a lot of pain or a severe fracture. For mild fractures, doctors usually recommend an over-the-counter pain medicine. Over-the-counter medicines include acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

After surgery and after your bones are mostly healed, you will work with a physical therapist (exercise expert). They will teach you exercises to make the muscles around your pelvis stronger. They will also work with you on bending, walking, and climbing stairs so you can move normally again.

How long does a pelvic fracture take to heal? — A pelvic fracture usually takes months to heal, depending on the fracture.

Healing time also depends on the person. Healthy children usually heal much more quickly than older adults or adults with other medical problems.

Can I do anything to improve the healing process? — Yes. It's important to follow all of your doctor's instructions while your fracture is healing. Plus, doctors usually recommend that people with a fracture:

●Eat a healthy diet that includes getting enough calcium, vitamin D, and protein (figure 2)

●Stop smoking. A fracture can take longer to heal if you smoke.

When should I call my doctor or nurse? — After treatment, your doctor or nurse will tell you when to call.

Go to the emergency department right away if you have any of the following. These can be signs of a blood clot, which can be dangerous:

●Chest pain

●Trouble breathing

●Dizziness

Call your doctor or nurse for advice if:

●You get a fever

●You have severe pain, or your pain or swelling gets worse

●Your leg gets swollen or you see red streaks on your leg

●Fluid or pus drains out of the cut from your surgery

●You get an open sore on your skin

More on this topic

Patient education: Fractures (The Basics)
Patient education: Using crutches (The Basics)
Patient education: Hip fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Calcium and vitamin D for bone health (The Basics)
Patient education: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (The Basics)
Patient education: Giving your child over-the-counter medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Quitting smoking (The Basics)
Patient education: Preventing falls in adults (The Basics)

Patient education: Quitting smoking (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Calcium and vitamin D for bone health (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Beyond the Basics)