Understanding your injury

The pelvis forms a ring connecting the spine to the legs and protecting organs, blood vessels and nerves. Fractures may follow major trauma or a lower-energy fall in weakened bone. A break at one point can coexist with injury elsewhere in the ring. Assessment establishes stability and looks for bleeding or associated injuries. X-rays and CT commonly guide planning. Fractures of the hip socket have a separate, specialist treatment pathway.

Treatment and the procedure

Major trauma first requires emergency treatment of breathing, circulation and bleeding. A stable fracture may be managed with pain relief, walking support and rehabilitation. An unstable ring may need screws, plates or a frame to restore stability; some injuries require staged procedures. Treatment decisions reflect the fracture pattern, displacement, bone quality and other injuries. A multidisciplinary team may include trauma surgeons, rehabilitation staff and specialists managing bladder, bowel or vascular injury.

Benefits, risks and expectations

If surgery is planned, discuss bleeding, anaesthetic risks and complex regional pain syndrome as well as the risks specific to your injury. Your general health and the extent of surgery affect your personal risk.

Treatment aims to stabilise the pelvis, reduce pain and restore mobility. Serious injuries can have lasting physical and emotional effects.
Discuss bleeding, infection, nerve or vessel damage, blood clots, loss of fixation, poor healing, persistent pain and further surgery.
Some injuries affect bladder, bowel or sexual function. Report these symptoms so the right team can assess them; do not assume they are an unavoidable part of recovery.

Rehabilitation and aftercare

Your surgeon specifies loading for each leg and any sitting restrictions. A physiotherapist teaches transfers, safe use of walking aids and permitted exercises. Pelvic floor rehabilitation may be appropriate after assessment. Follow wound or pin-site care and clot-prevention instructions. Arrange help for bathing, stairs and toileting when needed. Mobility and endurance improve gradually; return to work and driving is individual. Following a low-energy fracture, ask about osteoporosis assessment and falls prevention.

When to get urgent help

Call 999 for collapse, major bleeding, chest pain or breathlessness. New loss of bladder or bowel control, inability to pass urine or leg weakness needs emergency assessment.
Seek prompt advice about fever, discharge or new calf pain and swelling.

Your consultation

Ask whether the ring is stable, which side can take weight and whether other specialists or rehabilitation services are needed. The individual plan and consent discussion govern your care.

Your consent discussion

Use the patient pack to record your priorities, the proposed procedure, its alternatives, the benefits you hope for and risks that matter to you. A clinician will discuss your individual circumstances and complete the appropriate hospital consent process with you.

Reading or downloading a guide does not give consent. You can ask further questions, decline treatment or change your mind before the procedure.

Pelvic injuries