Schematic of Low Energy Pelvic Ring Fracture

Low Energy Pelvic Ring Fracture

Low Energy pelvic ring fractures are often referred to as “insufficiency fractures” because the bone quality is poor and unable to withstand basic physiologic stresses. They occur in older individuals (particularly women) and can occur after a seemingly innocuous injury such as a slip and fall.  These injuries can be incapacitating and can cause extended periods of significant disability. Treatment is usually non-operative consisting of a pelvic binder and pain medication.  Occasionally a hormone named calcitonin can be prescribed to help relieve the pain of acute fractures.  Surgical intervention is rarely indicated for these types of injuries although some studies suggest that early, minimally invasive, stabilization of these fractures may reduce the time of disability and may allow for more complete recovery. This is one of my areas of clinical interest and we have initiated studies to evaluate the efficacy of this type of treatment.  Healing in these injuries is typically prolonged, with most patients recovering at about 1 year out from their initial injury.