Pelvic Fracture

Home care

• Bed rest and pain medicine is the only treatment required. You can stay mostly in bed for the first 2 to 3 days to reduce pain with movement. During this time, you will need help with bathing, using the bathroom, and meals. A bedpan or bedside commode may be easier to use than getting up to use the bathroom. As soon as possible, begin sitting or walking to avoid problems with prolonged bed rest (muscle weakness, worsening back stiffness and pain, blood clots in the legs). A walker, crutches, or cane will make walking easier in the first few weeks.

• Home healthcare may be available to provide in-home nursing services. Check with your healthcare provider, the hospital’s social service department or a private nursing agency to see if your insurance will cover this kind of care.

• During the first 2 days after the injury there will probably be localized swelling and bruising on the skin over the pelvis. During this time apply an ice pack to the painful area for no more than 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours to reduce swelling and pain. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the ice pack in a clean, thin towel or cloth. Never put ice or an ice pack directly on your skin.

• You may use over-the-counter pain medicine to control pain, unless another medicine was prescribed. Take pain medicine as directed. Call your healthcare provider if your pain is not well-controlled. A dose change or stronger medicine may be needed. Talk with your healthcare provider before using these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease, have had ulcers, or are taking blood thinners.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised. This will help to make sure the bone is healing correctly.

If X-rays were taken, you will be told of any new findings that may affect your care.

Call 911

Call 911 if you have:

• Increasing swelling, pain or redness of a leg

• Chest pain or shortness of breath

When to seek medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Pain becomes worse or you are unable to walk with help for more than 3 days

• Blood in your urine or bleeding from the urethra (the opening where urine comes out)

• Trouble passing urine or unable to pass stool due to pain

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Chills