Pelvic fracture patient care. Reflections on the past, implications for the future.

Nursing care of patients with pelvic fractures has changed dramatically in the past two decades. Fracture care that necessitated long periods of immobility and consequent complications has been influenced by new classification systems, the use of external fixation, and the more recent use of internal fixation. The evolution of pelvic fracture patient care has greatly influenced nursing care of these patients.