How Do You Treat a Fractured Pelvis?

A fractured pelvis is when the pelvic bone is broken. Mild pelvic fractures can be treated with rest, ice, pain relievers, crutches, a walker, a wheelchair, or over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines. Severe pelvic fractures can be treated with a splint, prescription pain medication, blood thinners (anticoagulants), surgery, or physical therapy.

A fractured pelvis is the term used when the pelvic bone located at the base of the spine is broken. In many cases, the injury that causes a fractured pelvis can also damage organs, nerves, and blood vessels near the pelvis.

There are different types of pelvic fractures, and they may be categorized as:

• Stable: only one break in the pelvic ring and the broken ends of the bones line up 
• Unstable: generally, there are two or more breaks in the pelvic ring and the ends of the broken bones do not line up correctly (displacement)

Treatment for a fractured pelvis depends on the type of pelvic fracture and its severity.

Mild pelvic fractures may be treated with:

• Rest
• Ice 
  • Use a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables 
  • Apply to the injured area every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time
  • Put a thin towel between the ice and the skin
  • Use the ice for at least 6 hours after the injury
  • It may be helpful to ice for up to 2 days following an injury
• Walking aids such as crutches or a walker for up to three months
• Wheelchair if the injuries are above both legs
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines 
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  • Naproxen (Aleve)

Severe pelvic fractures may be treated with:

• A splint or other binding material around the pelvis to hold it in place
• Prescription pain medication
• Blood thinners (anticoagulants) to prevent blood clots from forming in the deep veins of the pelvis and legs
• Surgery to put the pelvis back in the correct position
  • External fixation: stabilizes the pelvic area
  • Skeletal traction: a pulley system of weights and counterweights that helps realign the pieces of bone
  • Open reduction and internal fixation: displaced bone fragments are repositioned (reduced) into their normal alignment and then held together with screws or metal plates attached to the outer surface of the bone
• Physical therapy following surgery to strengthen muscles around the pelvis and work on bending, walking, and climbing stairs