Pelvic pain after a fall

The pelvis is particularly at risk in the event of falls at high speed (for example from a motorcycle or horseback) or if someone does not sufficiently support themselves with their hands. The consequences are bruises or broken bones, which cause pelvic pain when moving and sitting. As the pelvis forms the transition between the upper body and the legs, it has to carry a particularly heavy weight and is therefore exposed to many strong forces.

These usually worsen the situation in the event of a pelvic fracture after a fall. Therefore, stabilization of the bony pelvis after a fall is essential. It may be necessary to attach screws to the pelvis during an operation to hold the broken parts together until they have grown together again.

A pelvis fracture caused by a fall at high speed is particularly dangerous, also because there can be heavy bleeding into the pelvis. Since the pelvis contains mainly soft tissue, almost the entire blood volume of the body can be accommodated in the pelvis. For this reason, stabilising the pelvis after such an accident is an important measure, as this can stop the bleeding. Even slight falls, for example onto the coccyx and ischium, cause pelvic pain over a longer period of time. However, these are usually only harmless bruises.

Pelvic pain in men

Pelvic pain in men is in many cases due to injuries to the pelvic bone. This can be on the ischium, which is caused by a fall on the buttocks, for example. But also the symphysis, i.e. the foremost part of the pelvis, is predestined for bony pain.

In addition, the spinal column opens into the pelvis, which is why many back pains can be transmitted to the pelvis. These include not only bony but also, and above all, muscular complaints. Pelvic pain in men can also be caused by the organs located in the pelvis.

These include the digestive organs, such as parts of the small intestine, the transition from the small intestine to the large intestine, the appendix and the rectum. This can lead to acute inflammation (appendicitis) or abscesses. Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease (mainly affects the transition from the small to the large intestine) or ulcerative colitis (in the case of pelvic pain, mainly affects the rectum) can also cause pain in the pelvic region.

Diseases of the bladder and the urinary tract also cause pelvic pain. Burning pain when urinating is another factor. In the case of diseases of the reproductive organs, it is usually the prostate that is affected, which can also cause pain in the pelvic area, but is usually rather asymptomatic.