How Serious is a Pelvic Bone Fracture? 3 Things to Know

Located at the middle part of the human body, the pelvis is a basin-shaped network of bones that connects the spine to the hips.

It is embedded in the pop culture lexicon as a body part made notable in the nickname of one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20^th century. Musical icon Elvis “The Pelvis” Presley’s unbridled gyrations of his midsection during performances took the world by storm in the 1950s but did little to explain the biological significance of this part of the torso.

The pelvis consists of the hip bones, sacrum and coccyx. It houses and protects the bladder, internal reproductive organs and part of the digestive tract while serving as an anchor for the leg muscles. The pelvis also plays an important role in the transmission of force between the upper and lower body.

Though it is a stable structure, it is not immune to fractures, which can occur in any of the bones. About 3% of all bone fractures in adults involve the pelvis.

There is no scientific evidence as to whether anyone ever fractured a pelvis by trying to imitate Presley.

We do know, however, that many pelvic fractures happen during a traumatic event, such as a car or motorcycle crash or a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle. It’s also known that people with osteoporosis or other bone-weakening diseases can experience a broken pelvis in a minor fall. The pelvis can also be a site of stress fractures in runners and other athletes.

The severity of the fracture determines how doctors treat the injury. Severe fractures typically require surgery, while the more common minor ones can be addressed with rest, medications and walking aids.

Most pelvis fractures are minor and do not require surgery, according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

Can you walk with a broken pelvis?

Fracturing the pelvis is painful in most cases, even in what is considered a minor break. It can hurt when sitting or lying down. Attempting to walk or move the hip in any way can make the pain even worse.

Generally, the pain emanates from the groin, hip and/or lower back. Some people may be able to walk, but not without significant pain.

Numbness or tingling in the legs, abdominal pain and difficultly urinating are other symptoms of a broken pelvis.

Doctors often recommend that those suffering from a broken pelvis use crutches or a walker for up to three months to avoid putting weight on the affected area. In some cases where the injuries involve both legs, patients may need to use a wheelchair until the bones are fully healed.

What is the treatment for a fractured pelvis?

As with other bone breaks, imaging tests are the best way to diagnose a pelvis fracture. Doctors typically order X-rays or computed tomography scans (CT scans) to determine if a patient has broken a pelvis bone.

In rare cases, a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) may be needed to get a better view of the affected areas.

In more severe cases, one or more surgeries may be required to address the fracture. During surgery, a doctor inserts metal screws into the bones to hold them in position and stabilize the frame.

A pulley system of weights and counterweights is often used immediately after the injury and removed after surgery. In rare cases, this skeletal traction can be used without surgery to treat the fracture.

Physical therapy and pain management are parts of the recovery process for both major and minor pelvis fractures. Exercises to help regain flexibility and restore range of motion in the hip are part of the therapy.

Exercises will emphasize hip flexibility and range of motion, hip muscle strength and core muscle strength and stability. Quadruped rocking, an exercise that involves rocking back and forth on all fours to improve core stability and mobility, is a common one.

Doctors typically recommend using crutches or a walker for a period regardless of the severity of the fracture. Full weightbearing is usually allowed after 3 months — or when the bones are fully healed, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

How long does it take to heal a fractured pelvic bone?

The recovery period for a broken pelvis can vary depending on the nature and severity of the fracture and the age of the patient. Generally, minor pelvic fractures usually heal well in eight to 12 weeks.

People who suffer more serious fractures can take up to a year to fully recover.