Pelvic fractures are rare in children, but may occur in high-energy traumas.
A force between 2,000 and 10,000 newtons is required to disrupt an adult pelvic ring [1]. Such high forces are generated in traffic accidents, crush traumas, and falls from great heights. Very often, soft tissues inside the small pelvis and around the pelvic ring are also disrupted [2].
"This patient was skeletally immature, but kids aren't usually in this situation — it's not as frequent because of the plasticity and strength of bone in children." Dr. Yuan says it's easy for a pelvic fracture to go unnoticed upon physical exam.
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.
If you have a pelvis fracture that is treated without surgery, you may be able to walk with crutches or a walker right away. If you have a have a more severe pelvis injury that requires surgery, you may be asked to not put weight on one or both legs.
Physical therapy, the use of crutches and, rarely, surgery may be recommended. Healing can take eight to 12 weeks. Severe injuries to the pelvis that involve several breaks can be life-threatening. Shock, extensive internal bleeding and internal organs damage may be involved.
Most pelvic fractures become increasingly stable around 6 weeks after the event and typically heal within 3 months.
Athletes with a pubic ramus stress fracture begin to experience slight groin pain that gets worse over time and increases with activity. At first, you may have pain only while practicing your sport. If the fracture goes untreated, it can begin to cause pain with simple weight bearing and then even at rest.
While lower-energy fractures can often be managed with conservative (nonsurgical) care, treatment for high-energy pelvic fractures usually involves surgery to reconstruct the pelvis and restore stability so that patients can resume their daily activities.
Osteitis pubis is a painful chronic overuse condition affecting the pubic symphysis and surrounding soft tissues. It is characterized by pelvic pain and local tenderness over the pubic symphysis.
Pain and tenderness in the groin, hip, lower back, buttock or pelvis. Bruising and swelling over the pelvic bones. Numbness or tingling in the genital area or in the upper thighs. Pain which may also be present on sitting and when having a bowel movement.
During pregnancy and after childbirth, you can realign your pubic symphysis by lying back on your elbows and squeezing a pillow between your raised knees. This is likely to temporarily relieve pain and pressure. A separated pubic symphysis can take 3 to 8 months to heal on its own.
The most common pelvic fracture identified by plain X-ray is that of the pubic rami. PFF are painful and despite optimal analgesia, many of these patients struggle to mobilise.
If you experience pelvic bone pain, one possible explanation is osteitis pubis. This condition has the potential to cause pain in the pelvis and groin area. Many times, athletes receive this diagnosis after playing certain sports.
The pubic bone is the forward-facing bone in the center of the pelvis. Also known as the pubis, this bone forms the bottom of the pelvic girdle. Externally, you can feel your pubic bone at the bottom of the torso between your legs.
While your pelvis heals, you will need to keep weight off the hips. Once you are able to walk, a walker or crutches can help you get around. You can help your pelvis heal with care at home. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to relieve pain and prevent blood clots.
How long should I avoid sitting after a fractured pelvis? Your doctor will provide specific guidance on when it's safe to start sitting after a fractured pelvis. In most cases, it's important to avoid sitting for long periods of time during the initial healing phase, which can last several weeks.
Although nonoperative low-energy pelvic ring fracture patients generally do not require the full resources of a hospital, they do require some medical/therapeutic services. Many complications occur as a result of the pain and immobility caused by the injury.
The following health conditions are common causes of pelvic pain while walking: Pain in the sacroiliac joint where the pelvis connects to the spine. Muscle pain in the pelvic floor. Dysfunction in the pubic symphysis joint (the joint in the front of the pelvis that stabilizes the pelvis and holds its bones together)
Arthritis. 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.
Hairline fracture is characterized by pain in the affected area that tends to become extreme with time. Consider visiting an orthopedic specialist if you experience pain that becomes intense when exercising, but reduces when you rest. The affected area may also feel tender and appear swollen.