Readers ask: What Questions Should I Ask The Orthopedist About My Fractured Pelvis?

What is the best treatment for a fractured pelvis?

Treatment depends on how bad the injury is. With a minor fracture, the most common treatment is bed rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or prescription painkillers. Physical therapy, the use of crutches and, rarely, surgery may be recommended. Healing can take eight to 12 weeks.

What are the long term effects of a broken pelvis?

The biggest long term complication of a broken pelvis is the development of arthritis. The main reason doctors operate on these fractures is that they know from past experience that if they leave the fractures in a poor position, although they will often heal, arthritis may follow within five years.

Can you walk on a fractured pelvis?

With a broken pelvis you cannot walk, sit or move well without pain. The pelvis protects the bladder, intestines and many important blood vessels. Many of the important leg muscles and abdominal muscles attach to the pelvis and allow for body motion and function.

When can you put weight on a fractured pelvis?

After a hip or pelvic fracture, your doctor may advise you not to put any weight on the affected hip for six weeks or more. This allows the bone to heal. Your doctor can provide crutches, a walker, a cane, or a wheelchair to help you get around.

What is a hairline fracture of the pelvis?

A sacral stress fracture is a hairline crack in the pelvic bone. This type of fracture is relatively uncommon but is usually caused by repetitive stress rather than a single accident. It usually affects the bottom of the pelvis, but can affect the front joint between the two pelvic bones.

How long do you stay in hospital with a fractured pelvis?

In terms of activity, patients can be bedbound for days or up to a week. Most patients, however, start transferring to a chair in a couple of days and start getting around the bedside with a walker in another couple of days. Final resolution of pain and restoration of function can take six to 12 weeks. Q3.

Can you drive with a fractured pelvis?

For lower extremity injuries ( pelvis and legs), you can drive once you can walk smoothly with a cane (with OUT a limp). This varies by person and injury. For upper extremity injuries (arms and clavicle), this can vary but usually you may start driving by six weeks.

How much compensation will I get for broken pelvis?

In many cases, mobility is limited for several months following a pelvic fracture. It may take a long time, several surgeries and other treatments and a lot of physical therapy to regain mobility and strength in the pelvis. Awards for pelvic injury cases range from $100,000 to over $1 million.

What are the symptoms of a fractured pelvis?

Symptoms of a hip or pelvic fracture include significant, sharp pain in the hip or groin and swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the skin at the site of the injury. Depending on the severity of the fracture, a broken bone may prevent you from putting any weight on the affected hip.

What are the complications of a pelvic fracture?

Stable pelvic fractures tend to heal well. Unstable pelvic fractures sustained during high-energy incidents, such as car accidents, may result in significant complications, including severe bleeding, internal organ damage, and infection. If these injuries are addressed successfully, the fracture usually heals well.

How do you fix a fractured pelvis?

You may have had surgery to repair your pelvis, depending on where it was broken and how bad the break was. Your doctor may have put metal screws, pins, or a rod in your pelvis to fix the break. In some cases, surgery is not needed. While your pelvis heals, you will need to keep weight off the hips.

What does a pelvic stress fracture feel like?

Pelvic Stress Fractures Symptoms include an aching pain in the hip or groin that usually gets worse during movement or exercise, but tends to persist even during periods of rest. Some people may also experience swelling or tenderness in the skin surrounding the affected bone.

What is the most common type of pelvic ring fracture?

c) The most common fracture type was Type B (58%), followed by Type A fractures (25%) and Type C fractures (17%). So, 75% of the pelvic ring fractures were classified as unstable fractures.

Is a pelvic fracture the same as a hip fracture?

A hip fracture is a break in the upper thigh bone (femur) that forms the hip joint. A pelvic fracture can happen anywhere in the pelvic bone. Fractures of the hips and pelvis are not often seen in children unless a severe injury (such as a car crash) has occurred.

How long does a fractured pubic bone take to heal?

Pubic rami fractures do not require surgery and will heal on their own. The fracture will normally take 6 to 8 weeks to heal, but may take longer depending on the severity.