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The Hidden Dangers of a Pelvic Fracture: Do You Know What Symptoms May Signal a Serious Injury?
A pelvic fracture is a break in bone structure, usually involving the sacrum, hip bones (ischium, pubis, ilium) and coccyx. While it may seem like a minor injury, a pelvic fracture can actually hide many dangerous complications and can be life-threatening. This article will explore the symptoms, complications, causes, and treatment of a pelvic fracture to help readers understand the severity of this injury and the recovery process.
If a person is fully alert and has no pelvic pain, medical imaging is not necessary.
Symptoms and complications
The most obvious symptom of a pelvic fracture is pain during movement. The victim may feel severe pain in the pelvic area that worsens when they move, making it almost impossible to move. Some complications can be serious and include internal bleeding, bladder damage, or vaginal trauma.
More than 85% of bleeding in patients with high-energy trauma originates from veins or open bone surfaces.
Causes of pelvic fractures
Common causes of pelvic fractures include falls, vehicle collisions, or direct compression injuries. In younger people, significant force is usually required to cause a fracture, whereas in older people, minimal force may cause a fracture. Therefore, simple accidents have the potential to cause devastating damage to the bones of older adults.
PathophysiologyThe pelvis is made up of the ilium, ischium, and pubis, which form a linked structure that supports the weight of the human body and internal organs. Therefore, when this structure is damaged, the consequences that ensue can be very serious. The pelvis supports the lower limbs and back of the body and bears the forces from the lower limbs. In severe trauma, disruption of this structure may result in damage to the corresponding organs.
Diagnosis and classification
Medical professionals usually suspect a pelvic fracture based on symptoms and an initial examination and confirm it with an X-ray or CT scan. Pelvic fractures are described primarily using two classification systems: the Tile classification system and the Young-Burgess classification system. These classifications help determine the stability of the fracture and treatment options.
Open fracture
An "open book" fracture is a specific type of pelvic fracture, usually caused by a heavy impact to the pubic bone. In this condition, the left and right sides of the pelvis separate front to back, like an open book. Therefore, for these injuries, surgical reconstruction may be necessary to ensure the patient's recovery.
Precautions
To prevent pelvic fractures, especially as bones become more fragile as you age, it is important to take certain precautions. High-energy impacts, such as from car accidents, falls from heights, or bicycle accidents, often result in pelvic fractures. Therefore, in order to protect one's own health, it is necessary to carry out relevant health education and safety campaigns.
Treatment methods
Treatment of a pelvic fracture varies depending on its severity and may require surgery or conservative treatment. Initial treatment focuses on stabilizing the pelvis, usually with a pelvic binder. This can reduce bleeding and lower the risk of death. In the following weeks, the medical team will develop an appropriate surgery and rehabilitation plan for the fracture.
ConclusionMortality often depends on the associated trauma to the pelvic fracture, such as severe injuries and internal bleeding. Mortality rates from complications directly related to pelvic fractures are relatively low.
Advances in treatment methods have enabled many people to recover from pelvic fractures, but the treatment process can be long and painful. Understanding the hidden dangers of pelvic fractures and their symptoms can help us make medical decisions faster and improve our understanding of the body. So, do you know what risks are lurking in your life that may lead to the hidden crisis of pelvic fracture?
