Your pelvis has several bones. It is located below your abdomen and between your hip bones. A pelvic fracture occurs when one of the bones in the pelvic region are broken or cracked.
The bones that make up your pelvis include the sacrum, coccyx, and hip bones – the ilium, pubis, and ischium. The pelvic ring — all of the bones together — protects organs, nerves, and blood vessels.
Causes of Pelvic Fractures
The causes of pelvic fractures include:
- High-impact invents, such as falling from a significant height or a car accident.
- Sports and athletic activities can cause an avulsion fracture – a tendon or ligament tears away from the bone, taking a small piece of the bone with it.
- Diseases that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis, can cause a fracture even during routine activities or if you have a minor fall.
Symptoms of a Pelvic Fracture
The severity of a pelvic fracture and the location affect the symptoms and amount of pain you may have. Fractured pelvis symptoms can include:
- Pain in your hip, lower back, or groin
- Numbness in your legs or groin area
- Tingling in your legs or groin area
- Pain becomes more intense when you try to move your legs or walk
- Abdominal pain.
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Difficulty urinating
Types of Pelvic Fractures
Most pelvic fractures are due to a high-energy, traumatic event, such as a car collision. Those with weaker bones could also experience a fracture due to impact or a fall. Bones that can be affected include the hips, coccyx (tailbone), and sacrum (large triangular bone that connects your pelvis to your lumbar spine).
A pelvic fracture can be stable or unstable. Stable fractures often involve only one break, and the broken ends of the bones line up well. Potential stable fractures include an Iliac wing fracture, sacrum fracture, superior pubic ramus fracture, and Inferior pubic ramus fracture
Unstable pelvic fractures include two or more bones that do not line up correctly, causing displacement. These types of pelvic fractures are most common due to car accidents and traumatic injuries. Common unstable pelvic fracture patterns include anterior-posterior compression fractures, lateral compression fractures, and vertical shear fractures.
There are several types of pelvic fractures, and it’s possible to have more than one at the same time, depending on the extent of the injury. Your doctor can determine where your pelvic pain originates and the best treatment plan after an examination, which will imaging tests to identify the location, type, and severity of your fracture.
Get Urgent Care for a Fractured Pelvis in Beaverton and Lake Osewego, OR
Go To Ortho serves Beaverton, Lake Oswego and the surrounding areas in Oregon. Our dedicated team of orthopedic surgeons and medical doctors are here to help.
No appointment is necessary, but you can complete these forms before coming in to accelerate the treatment process. If you have any questions, please call us at 503-850-9950. For non-urgent inquiries, please send us a message.
