Pelvic & Acetabulum

Pelvic & Acetabulum

Understanding your pelvic and acetabulum injury or complex fracture is important. Our dedicated team of expert orthopedic doctors in Ahmedabad have developed this patient eudcation section to help you understand your fracture better and how we can help fix, correct and heal you as quickly and safely as possible. Dr. Pranav A. Shah and his team of the best orthopedic doctors in Ahmedabad have been able to successfully solve the hardest of complex fracture of the shoulder type of cases in just a short period of time for most patients ensuring that they had an excellent near perfect full recovery post operation in 99% of the cases. The patient testimonials and case studies presented on the website provide ample evidence that Dr. Pranav Shah and his team of the best orthopedic surgeons in Ahmedaad are amongst the best orthopedic doctors in Rajathan and Gujarat. The best Complex Fracture orthopedic doctor team performs at a world class facility CIMS Hospital in Ahmedabad, which has been rated as the best hospital in Gujarat for the year 2018 and is located in India.

Introduction of Region :

The pelvis is the sturdy ring of bones located at the base of the spine. Fractures of the pelvis are uncommon-accounting for only about 3% of all adult fractures. Most pelvic fractures are caused by some type of traumatic, high-energy event, such as a car collision. Because the pelvis is in proximity to major blood vessels and organs, pelvic fractures may cause extensive bleeding and other injuries that require urgent treatment.In some cases, a lower-impact event—such as a minor fall—may be enough to cause a pelvic fracture in an older person who has weaker bones.

Similarly acetabulum (socket of the hip joint) fractures are also caused by high energy injuries like road traffic accidents, but in elderly with weak bone it may occur with a domestic fall.

Causes of Fracture :

A pelvic/acetabulum fracture may result from a high-energy force, such as that generated during a :
  • Car or motorcycle collision
  • Crush accident
  • Fall from a significant height (such as a ladder)
  • Pedestrian hit by motor vehicle

Depending on the direction and magnitude of the force, these injuries can be life-threatening and require surgical treatment. A pelvic/acetabulum fracture may also occur due to weak or insufficient bone. These injuries are typically stable fractures that do not damage the structural integrity of the pelvic ring, but may fracture an individual bone.

Do I Require Surgery ? :

All unstable pelvic / acetabulum fractures do require surgery surgical stabilization in a well-equipped tertiary care center. These surgeries are very complex and may require team approach by authorpedic trauma surgeon with general surgeon/urologist/spine surgeon.

What are the Benefits of Surgery ? :

Surgery is LIFESAVING in unstable pelvic fractures. Surgery helps to control bleeding, prevent further injury to nerves and blood vessels and internal organs. Surgery also provides significant pain relief and mobilization of the patient in bed and bed side, can be done.

What is the recovery process ? :

Most pelvic/ acetabulum fractures will take 6 to 8 weeks to heal. But in few cases when two or more surgeries are required, the healing time may prolonged. The physiotherapist focuses on exercises to prevent pressure source (bed source), deep vein thrombosis and respiratory/urinary problems.

What are the risks in the Surgery ? :

There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Before your surgery, your doctor will discuss each of these risks with you and will take specific measures to help avoid potential complications.
Possible complications include :
  • infection
  • Injury to nerves and blood vessels
  • Blood clots& related deep vein thrombosis and lung complications
  • Fat embolism (bone marrow enters the blood stream and can travel to the lungs; this can also happen from the fracture itself without surgery)
  • Malalignment or the inability to correctly position the broken bone fragments
  • Delayed union or nonunion (when the fracture heals slower than usual or not at all)
  • Hardware irritation

Does Age Affect Recovery ? :

Yes, elderly patient with weaker bones may take longer to heal. Complications are more frequent in this age group because of preexisting illnesses.