Complex Pelvic Sugery

Complex pelvic surgery is indicated in patients with pelvis and acetabulum fractures. Fractures damage multiple bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. Common symptoms of fracture include severe pain, swelling, numbness, protruding bones on the skin, and deformity on the injured area.

Surgery is considered to be the last remedy if the nonsurgical method fails to realign the broken bone. Depending on the complexity of fractures, pelvic fractures are treated by two methods, open reduction and closed reduction. In open reduction, the surgeon makes an incision on the skin directly and inserts internal fixators. In closed reduction, external fixators are used without making any incision. Some of the surgical methods are described as follows:

External fixation: In this method, the surgeon places external fixators such as pins or screws into the fractured bone on either side of pelvis. These pins are then connected to clamps or rods outside the skin which will form an external frame that will bring about stability and allow the bone to heal.

Internal fixation: In this method, your surgeon makes an incision on the injured areas and inserts internal fixators such as wires, screws, pins, or plates. These internal fixators are fixed either in front of the pelvis or at the back. This helps to prevent further injury like arthritis and also prevents displacement of bone. Your doctor may suggest using crutches or apply casts and avoid weight-bearing activities or physical work for few weeks to allow bones to join.

Bone implantation: During this procedure, a healthy bone is removed from one part of the body and implanted onto a bone which cannot be joined. It is performed in patients if their fragmented bones could not be joined by other surgical methods.

Some of the possible complications after surgery may include blood clot, pneumonia, muscle cramps due to inactivity of muscles, and infection at the site of surgery.

After the surgery, patients must undergo blood tests, X-ray, CT scan, and magnetic resonance venogram (MRV) to ensure if the bones are realigned and also to check if there are no severe complications such as tingling sensation or numbness in the limb.
Rehabilitation is suggested after surgery which enables fast healing. It includes stretching, strengthening exercises, and massages which will help you to recover quicker and allows you to perform daily activities.

Please contact Andrew Bucknill for further guidance on pelvis surgery.