Insuffizienzfrakturen des Beckenrings

Background

The changing age distribution in our society inevitably also leads to an increase in age-specific injuries. As a result, the percentage of osteoporotic and fatigue fractures and the absolute number of insufficiency fractures of the pelvic ring are increasing.

Causes of pelvic ring fractures

While pelvic ring injuries in younger patients are mainly caused by high velocity accidents, the reason for pelvic fractures in elderly patients is often a trivial fall to the floor or even no impact at all. These kinds of injuries are consequently assessed as insufficiency fractures.

Diagnosis and therapy

Conventional x-rays of the pelvic ring are frequently not able to reveal the injury; therefore, additional diagnostic methods (e.g., CT scan or even MRI) are recommended. The established classifications for pelvic ring fractures do not sufficiently reflect the complexity of these injuries. Therapy must be chosen based on the general condition and living environment of the elderly patient. Reduced bone quality leads to problems with implants such as early loosening of conventional screws and must be considered when planning operative stabilization.