[Fractures of the pelvis--a survey of "nonunion" and "malunion" surgical results].

UNLABELLED

Nonunion (NU) and malunion (MU) of the pelvis are conditions of absent and malaligned healing of a previous pelvis fracture causing severe disabling symptoms. Reconstructive surgery of the pelvis is more demanding than treatment of the acute fracture. Ten cases of NU and/or MU of the pelvis were treated. Average time from injury to referral was 33 months. Initial treatment was conservative (seven patients), internal fixation (two patients) or combined internal and external fixation (one patient). Complaints were pain (ten patients), limp (eight patients), leg length difference (five patients) and sitting problems (seven patients).

RESULTS

All patients showed radiological union. Nine patients had less or no pain at all. All eight with a preoperative limp showed improvement or no limp after surgery. Two of five still had minor leg length difference. All seven patients with sitting problems claimed relief or complete removal of sitting problems. It is concluded that patients with severe disabling symptoms from NU and/or MU can expect relief of symptoms by late correction of the pelvic deformity.