What is Simple Pelvic Fracture?

Simple Pelvic Fracture is a break in one of the bones in the pelvis. The pelvic bones include the bones that you sit on and the bones that make up the lower part of your spine. A pelvic fracture is called simple if:

• There is only one break.
• The broken bone is stable.
• The broken bone is not moving out of place.
• The bone does not pierce the skin.

A pelvic fracture may occur along with injuries to nerves, blood vessels, soft tissues, the urinary tract, and abdominal organs.

What are the causes?

Common causes of this type of fracture include:

• A fall.
• A car accident.
• Force or pressure that hits the pelvis.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to get this injury if you:

• Play high-impact sports, such as rugby or football.
• You have thinning or weakening of your bones, such as from osteopenia or osteoporosis.
• Have cancer that has spread to the bone.
• Have a condition that is associated with falling, such as Parkinson’s disease or seizure.
• Have had a stroke.
• Smoke.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Signs and symptoms may include:

• Tenderness, swelling, or bruising in the affected area.
• Pain when moving the hip.
• Pain when walking or standing.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed with a physical exam, X-ray, or CT scan. You may also have blood or urine tests:

• To rule out damage to other organs, such as the urethra.
• To check for internal bleeding in the pelvic area.

How is this treated?

The goal of treatment is to get the bone to heal in its original position. Treatment includes:

• Staying in bed (bed rest). 
• Using crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair until the bone heals.
• Medicines to treat pain.
• Medicines to prevent blood clots from forming in your legs.
• Physical therapy.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, apply ice to the injured area:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
• Gently move your toes often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.

Activity

• Stay on bed rest for as long as directed by your health care provider.
• While on bed rest:
  • Change the position of your legs every 1–2 hours. This keeps blood moving well through both of your legs.
  • You may sit for as long as you feel comfortable.
• After bed rest:
  • Avoid strenuous activities for as long as directed by your health care provider.
  • Return to your normal activities as directed by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Use items to help you with your activities, such as:
  • A long-handled shoehorn to help you put your shoes on.
  • Elastic shoelaces that do not need to be retied.
  • A reacher or grabber to pick items up off the floor.

General instructions

• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until your health care provider tells you it is safe to do so.
• Use a wheelchair or assistive devices as directed by your health care provider. When you are ready to walk, start by using crutches or a walker to help support your body weight.
• Have someone help you at home as you recover.
• Wear compression stockings as told by your health care provider.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. These can delay bone healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• If you have an underlying condition that caused your pelvic fracture, work with your health care provider to manage your condition.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your pain gets worse.
• Your pain is not relieved with medicines.

Get help right away if you:

• Feel light-headed or faint.
• Develop chest pain.
• Develop shortness of breath.
• Have a fever.
• Have blood in your urine or your stools.
• Have bleeding in your vagina.
• Have difficulty or pain with urination or with passing stool.
• Have difficulty or increased pain with walking.
• Have new or increased swelling in one of your legs.
• Have numbness in your legs or groin area.

Summary

• A pelvic fracture is a break in one of the bones in the pelvis. These are the bones that you sit on and the bones that make up the lower part of your spine.
• A pelvic fracture is called simple if there is only one break, the broken bone is stable, the broken bone is not moving out of place, or the bone does not pierce the skin.
• Common causes of this type of fracture include a fall, a car accident, or a force or pressure that hits the pelvis.
• The goal of treatment is to get the bone to heal in its original position.
• Treatment includes bed rest and using a wheelchair. When ready to walk, you may use crutches or a walker until your bone heals. Other treatments include physical therapy and medicine to treat pain and prevent blood clots.