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. When a bone breaks, it might crack, break all of the way through, or shatter.

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 depend on which part of the pelvis breaks and the type of break it is. Common symptoms can include:

●Pain, swelling, or bruising over the area

●Not being able to walk or put weight on the legs

●Weakness or numbness in the legs

●Serious bleeding, if the fracture is severe

If a fracture injures a nerve, this can also cause symptoms in nearby areas. For example, a break to the pelvic bone might cause pain, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet.

Is there a test for a pelvic fracture? — Yes. The doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms, do an exam, and take an X-ray.

They might also do other imaging tests, such as a CT, MRI, or ultrasound. Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body.

How is a pelvic fracture treated? — Treatment depends, in part, on the type of fracture and how serious it is. The goal is to have the ends of the broken bone line up with each other so the bone can heal.

For minor fractures, the doctor will put a splint or other binding material around the pelvis. This keeps the bone in the correct position so it can heal.

More serious fractures usually need treatment in the hospital. There, doctors can do surgery to put the bone back in the correct position. During surgery, they can use screws, pins, rods, or plates to fix the bone inside the body. This is called "open fracture reduction."

How long does a pelvic fracture take to heal? — Most pelvic fractures take months to heal. The doctor or nurse will talk to you about when to return to things like work, sports, or other activities.

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

How do I care for myself at home? — To care for yourself or your child at home:

●Follow the doctor's instructions for wearing the splint, brace, or cast. This supports and protects the bone as it heals.

●Follow all instructions for using a walker, crutches, or cane. Make sure that you know how much weight you can put on your legs. This can range from partial weightbearing to full weightbearing.

●Follow instructions for limiting activity and movement until the bone is healed. The doctor or nurse will tell you what activities are safe to do.

●The doctor might recommend an over-the-counter pain medicine. These include acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

●Some people get a prescription for stronger pain medicines to take for a short time. Follow the instructions for taking these medicines.

●Ice can help with pain and swelling:

•Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the injured 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 longer, even up to 2 days after their injury.

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

●If you smoke, try to stop. Broken bones take longer to heal if you smoke.

●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 that you can move normally again.

When should I call my doctor or nurse? — Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

●You feel short of breath or have trouble breathing.

●You have sharp or severe chest pain when you breathe.

●You are coughing up blood.

Call the doctor or nurse for advice if:

●Your legs become swollen or start to hurt more.

●Your splint or binding becomes too tight and uncomfortable, or your toes turn pale, blue, or gray.

●Your splint or binding feels too loose.

●You have less feeling or movement in your toes.

More on this topic

Patient education: Fractures (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use crutches (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a walker (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)