Consequences of a fractured pelvis | Pelvis fracture

Consequences of a fractured pelvis

In the context of a pelvic fracture, various consequences can occur for the patient under certain circumstances. On the one hand, the fracture of the pelvis can lead to concomitant injuries in the area surrounding the pelvis, so that, for example, consequential damage to nerves, urethra, bladder, intestine or vagina can occur. If nerves are damaged, these are often the nerves that supply the bladder and intestines.

Those affected can then no longer hold their urine and stool – incontinence is present. In men, nerve damage can also lead to impotence. If the hip socket is also affected by the pelvic fracture, the long-term consequence can be a more rapid development of arthrosis (wear and tear of the joint) of the hip joint.

If the pelvis is not sufficiently protected during healing, a so-called pseudoarthrosis can occur. Pseudarthrosis is a fracture that does not heal sufficiently. If the time between fracture and the supplying operation was too long in the case of a hip joint fracture, the head of the femur may die because it was not supplied with blood for a long period of time.

The surrounding soft tissue can also ossify, a process known in the technical language as heterotropic ossification. We try to prevent this consequence by irradiating the surgical site. Consequences are to be expected especially after an unstable pelvic fracture (type B or C), while a stable pelvic fracture usually heals without complications without surgery.

Forecast

Depending on the severity of the pelvic fracture, the further prognosis will of course also differ, although it can be said that in general it is quite good. Stable fractures often heal spontaneously and without complications. In the case of unstable fractures, the prognosis is also good with the appropriate therapy (with fixation of the fractures with screws or plates).

The involvement of other structures such as blood vessels, nerves and internal organs is decisive for the prognosis of a pelvic injury. So-called open pelvic fractures have a very poor prognosis, in which about half of the patients die. In the best case, the pelvic fracture did not involve the nerves in the surrounding area, so that there are no long-term impairments.

Very rarely, a healed fracture can lead to the development of a so-called pseudarthrosis. There is little that can be done preventively for a pelvic fracture. The most important thing is to minimise the risk of falling, especially for older people.

This can be done primarily by using walking aids, be it a cane, a walking frame or crutches. It also makes sense to eliminate tripping hazards in the home, for example not to lay carpets over rugs to avoid getting stuck at the edges. Sturdy shoes are also a sensible consideration to avoid stumbling.