Injuries to the Pelvis

Abstract

The pelvis is somewhat bowl-shaped. There are two sacro-iliac joints superiorly where the pelvic girdle joins the sacral bones. Inferiorly is the symphysis pubis, which is a fibro-cartilaginous joint. In health the pelvis may be likened to a ring. Thus an isolated fracture (see figure 14.1) will not interrupt the continuity of the shape of the pelvis. This will be understood by considering a wedding ring on the finger. If it were cut in one place only, the ring would stay in shape on the finger and not fall apart. If, however, the same ring were cut in two places almost opposite each other, the ring would fall apart and off the finger, as the continuity of the ring would be lost. Precisely the same principle applies to the stability of the pelvis if it breaks in two places — its continuity of shape is disrupted (see figure 14.2).