page_title: Pelvic fracture
section_title: Classification
hierarchical_section_title: Pelvic fracture / Diagnosis / Classification
caption_attribution_description: English: Fractures of the superior (in two places) and inferior pubic rami on the person's right, in a person who has had prior hip replacements
context_page_description: A pelvic fracture is a break of the bony structure of the pelvis. This includes any break of the sacrum, hip bones, or tailbone. Symptoms include pain, particularly with movement. Complications may include internal bleeding, injury to the bladder, or vaginal trauma.
  Common causes include falls, motor vehicle collisions, a vehicle hitting a pedestrian, or a direct crush injury. In younger people significant trauma is typically required while in older people less significant trauma can result in a fracture. They are divided into two types: stable and unstable. Unstable fractures are further divided into anterior posterior compression, lateral compression, vertical shear, and combined mechanism fractures. Diagnosis is suspected based on symptoms and examination with confirmation by X-rays or CT scan. If a person is fully awake and has no pain of the pelvis medical imaging is not needed.
  Emergency treatment generally follows advanced trauma life support. This begins with efforts to stop bleeding and replace fluids. Bleeding control may be achieved by using a pelvic binder or bed-sheet to support the pelvis. Other efforts may include angiographic embolization or preperitoneal packing.
context_section_description: Pelvic fractures are most commonly described using one of two classification systems. The different forces on the pelvis result in different fractures. Sometimes they are determined based on stability or instability.
caption: Fractures of the superior (in two places) and inferior pubic rami on the person's right, in a person who has had prior hip replacements
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