Trauma Survivors Network - provided by ATS

Survive. Connect. Rebuild.

A Program of the ATS

Pelvic Fracture

A pelvic fracture is a break in one or more bones of the pelvis that can be caused by a high energy impacts or collision, such as car or motorcycle crash. Pelvic fractures have a high risk for excessive bleeding. This type of fracture often prolongs hospital stay due to the surgeries and extensive rehabilitation required. The primary symptom of a pelvic fracture is pain in the groin, hip, or lower back, which may worsen when walking or moving the legs. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain; numbness/tingling in the groin or legs; bleeding from the vagina, urethra (urine tube), or rectum; difficulty urinating, and difficulty walking or standing. Trauma patients will have a computed tomography (CT) scan when admitted to the hospital and other X-rays to determine the presence of a fracture in the pelvis. The prognosis for minor pelvic fractures is excellent, with most people having full mobility in a matter of weeks or months. Severe pelvic fractures can be fatal due to internal bleeding or damage to nearby organs, or result in chronic pain and physical disabilities.