PELVIC FRACTURE
PELVIC FRACTURE
The pelvis is the sturdy ring of bones located at the base of the spine. Fractures of the pelvis are uncommon—accounting for only about 3% of all adult fractures.
Most pelvic fractures are caused by some type of traumatic, high-energy event, such as a car collision. Because the pelvis is in proximity to major blood vessels and organs, pelvic fractures may cause extensive bleeding and other injuries that require urgent treatment.
In some cases, a lower-impact event—such as a minor fall—may be enough to cause a pelvic fracture in an older person who has weaker bones.
Advantages of Pelvic Fracture
- Pelvic fracture can lead to rapid blood loss Any fracture pattern to the pelvis can lead to life-threatening hemorrhage.
- Pelvic fracture is associated with other trauma Because of the high amount of force required to fracture the pelvis, the patient is likely to have other major traumatic injuries. For example, soldiers with traumatic lower limb amputation had a high incidence of pelvic fracture.
- Pelvic splint is treatment for a pelvic fracture The top treatment goals for a patient with a suspected pelvic fracture are reducing blood loss and rapid transport to definitive care.