Pelvic fractures

[Tracie Lynn]

One or more bones of the pelvis may be broken. These fractures range from a small chip of bone being broken off, to fractures due to slight force (as can occur in older people with osteoporosis), to fractures due to great force (as occurs in car crashes).

Most pelvic fractures cause considerable pain, even when people are sitting or lying down.
Severe pelvic fractures can result in life-threatening bleeding and may be accompanied by serious injuries to other organs.
X-rays can show most pelvic fractures, but computed tomography is usually also done.
Minor fractures require only pain relievers, but more severe fractures must be stabilized with an external device or with plates and screws inserted surgically.

(See also Overview of Fractures.)
The pelvis, located at the bottom of the torso, is made up of three bones:

Ilium, the largest and uppermost bone of the pelvis, located in the back
Pubis, the middle bone of the pelvis, located in the front
Ischium, the bottom bone of the pelvis, located in the back

The pelvic bones form the socket for the top of the thighbone (femur) and, with the thighbone, form the hip joint. The pelvis is attached to the tailbone (sacrum) by ligaments at the base of the spine. Many ligaments hold these bones in place. Muscles of the thigh (hamstring and gluteal muscles) are attached to the pelvis by tendons.

[exinilu]

Pelvic fractures can involve the pubic symphysis, innominate bones, acetabulum, sacroiliac joint or sacrum. They range from minimally displaced stable injuries caused by low energy falls to dramatically displaced and unstable injures that can cause massive hemorrhage. Genitourinary, intestinal, and neurologic injuries may also occur. Diagnosis is by plain x-rays and usually CT. Minor stable fractures require only symptomatic treatment. Unstable fractures and fractures with significant hemorrhage usually require external fixation or open reduction with internal fixation.
(See also Overview of Fractures.)