Pelvic trauma with displaced sacral fractures: functional outcome at one year.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective single-cohort study of 31 patients surgically treated for pelvic injuries with displaced sacral fractures.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the medium term functional outcome in unstable sacral fractures.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Displaced sacral fractures pose a special challenge in orthopedic surgery due to the high rate of associated injuries. Little information is available on the medium-term functional outcome of patients with injuries which include unstable sacral fractures.

METHODS

We examined 31 patients with displaced sacral fractures having 10 mm or more displacement, 1 year (mean, 1.4 years; range, 1.0-2.5 years) after injury. Data from a previous study were supplemented with functional outcome measures (work status, independence in ADL, and SF-36). An association between outcome and tested variables was sought.

RESULTS

Fifteen months after injury, 65% of the patients had regained their independence in functions pertaining to daily activities; 33% had returned to work. All dimensions of perceived health were affected. Polytrauma and impairments relative to voiding and sexual function had a detrimental effect on outcome. Fracture characteristics were not predictive of poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the majority of patients achieved independent living, medium-term follow-up indicated significant residual disability. The complex nature of these fractures and the associated injuries should be considered in the rehabilitation of these patients.