Pelvis/Hip Case 10 Background

Pelvic fracture patterns are often described by the mechanisms of the forces applied, which can be described as lateral compression (LC), anteriorposterior compression (APC), or vertical shear (VS). The fractures can then be classified by applying the Young Burgess or Tile classification systems (the details of which are beyond the scope of this brief teaching). While the patterns are often mixed, the characterization is often useful in determining structural stability and hemorrhage likelihood.

LC mechanisms crush the pelvis inward, theoretically decreasing pelvic volume, so are less likely to hemorrhage. In isolation, LC fractures tend to be more stable than APC and VS injuries. LC injuries are unstable rotationally but stable vertically if the posterior structures are spared.