Fractures of the pelvic cavity


They are a type of pelvic fractures that, as their name suggests, occur in a cavity located in the pelvis.

The cause of these fractures is usually a car accident or a fall from a height, and these fractures often require surgery. Some fractures are also treated with stretching and weight bearing. A few days after surgery, the patient is discharged from the hospital and goes home. During this time, you should pay attention to the following important points:

  1. For some time after surgery, a slight pain may be felt at the surgical site, which gradually disappears in the first one to two weeks after surgery. To reduce this pain, the doctor prescribes medicines. You should inform your doctor of any increase in pain intensity that is not relieved by painkillers.
  2. Oral antibiotic drugs may be prescribed for you to use at home. These drugs should be taken in order to prevent possible infection in the surgical site.
  3. Medicines are given to prevent blood clots in the veins of the lower limbs, which may be injected or taken orally.

These drugs should be taken for the duration specified by the doctor. Blood clots in the legs are one of the dangerous side effects of fractures. Sometimes, even with the use of these drugs, blood clots in the deep veins of the legs. The main symptom of this complication is leg swelling, so in case of leg swelling, you should go to the nearest medical center as soon as possible. You go to be examined by a doctor, if blood clots in the leg are confirmed, you will be admitted to the hospital.

  1. In a few weeks after the fracture, you should regularly move the ankles of both your legs up and down ten times every minute, the purpose of this work is to increase the blood flow in the leg in order to prevent the formation of clots in the deep veins of the leg.
  2. The dressing that is placed on the wounds should be changed daily by a nurse or a companion of the patient who is trained in the hospital. Usually, every day that the dressing is changed, stains are observed on the dressing, which are due to the natural secretions of the wound. These discharges may continue for one or two weeks, and after that, the discharge of the wound stops and the wound is so-called dry. At this time, there is no need to change the dressing daily. If the discharge from the wound continues after this period, you should inform the treating doctor. If you have an infection, such as fever, chills, redness, discharge of purulent discharge from the operated area, and sensitivity to touch, see a doctor.
  3. Sutures are usually removed after two to three weeks of surgery.
  4. You should regularly perform the movements taught to you by your doctor or physiotherapist at home so that the joints do not suffer from dryness.
  5. You can walk with crutches or a walker, but you should not put the operated limb on the ground. If you put the operated leg on the ground before the fracture is completely healed, the force of your weight will be applied to the fracture site. It is so much that the screws and plates are moved and as a result of the breakage, they are also moved.
  6. Be sure to visit the surgeon on the specified day.
  7. You can place a pillow under your knees for extra comfort when you sleep on your back in bed, or you can place a pillow between your legs when you sleep on your healthy side. 11. Foods containing enough protein and calcium should be taken to help fracture healing. Dairy products are the most important ingredients that help you in this matter.
  8. It takes a lot of time to get the abilities before the fracture. A fracture in the pelvis area needs about three months to heal. Usually, after this period, you can completely put your foot on the ground and walk without the help of crutches. Walking apart from a fused bone and a healthy joint, you also need strong muscles, and the joints must have proper movement. Most cases return to the level before the fracture and muscle strength is preserved to some extent, only at this time you can put your foot completely on the ground and walk.
  9. It was mentioned that the strength of the muscles is only partially preserved, the reason is that due to not putting weight on the operated leg in the three months after the accident, the muscles of the lower limbs weaken to some extent, so it is possible even after you can walk without crutches. Walk because of this muscle weakness until you have a limp while walking for a while.

Remember that muscles play an important role in normal walking and until you can regain the strength and coordination of the muscles, the limp will continue. Don’t worry if you continue to walk and exercise according to the doctor’s and physiotherapist’s instructions. Walking will return to normal If you follow the instructions correctly, you will be able to walk easily and do your daily activities about four to six months after surgery. Returning to more intense sports activities that require more strength and coordination may require a year. After about 3 months, the broken parts will fuse together and the damaged cartilage will be partially repaired. Now the pelvic cavity is healed. And you can bear the weight of the body. From now on, the body no longer needs plates and screws that are placed in place, but because these devices are not harmful to the body and another surgery is possible to remove them. cause more damage to the body, screws and plates remain in their place.

Producer: Elham Bayani

Source: Bruner Sodarth, 14th edition, 2018, patient education book, Marie M. Kanabio (handbook)

Compilation date: summer 1400

Revision date: 3 years later “Mir Hosseini Hospital Shiraz”

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