Pelvis Injuries

The pelvic region of the skeleton, or simply called the pelvis, is the group of bones that include the hip bones and the lower part of the backbone, which connect the trunk to the legs and supports the spine. These pelvic bones can be broken or fractured, especially if they have become brittle over time due to age, genetic condition or other types of diseases and disorders. If you have suffered such an injury and want the guidance of an expert personal injury firm, look no further than Altman & Altman LLP.

Pelvic injuries can be incredibly painful and debilitating, especially in senior citizens, for whom the injuries can actually be life threatening. Many thousands of people get hip replacements each year to prevent pelvic injuries from reoccurring or to correct pelvic injuries that have already occurred, and these can come with their own long list of dangers and problems associated.

Symptoms include bleeding, swelling, bruising, and pain, which may be alleviated by keeping the hips or knees in a fixed position. As with any skeletal injury, not all pelvic injuries are the same. Sometimes the pelvis may be bruised or only slightly broken, while other injuries may result in a complete obliteration of one or multiple parts of the pelvis. The severity often dictates the amount of time necessary for recovery and, in turn, the amount of time you may need to spend in a hospital.

There are many different ways in which your pelvis can be injured, including but not limited to:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Slips and falls
• Other accident where the body is crushed or violently thrown and suffers an impact
• Adults with osteoporosis are more prone to fracturing a pelvic bone in an accident or fall
• Some teen athletes may also injure the pelvic area while playing sports

Medical attention is needed in order to get a complete exam and to assess the extent of the injury, normally through x-rays and/or CT (computed tomography) scans. The nerves and blood vessels in the legs are also checked for related damage. You should contact a physician immediately if you suspect your pelvic region is injured, as serious pelvis injuries often will not heal correctly on their own, which can cause more problems down the line.

Treatment for a pelvic injury depends on the extent of the damage. Minor injuries may only need pain medication and can heal as a person uses crutches to walk. Sometimes, because a person may not be moving the legs during the healing period, blood thinners are prescribed to avoid the formation of blood clots. In more extensive fractures or breaks, surgery is required to reconstruct or strengthen the pelvic bones and may require screws, stabilizing plates, and/or traction to ensure that the internal organs can heal and the area can recover.

With proper medical treatment, some pelvis injuries can heal well, though it may take some time to do so. A person may limp for months until healing is completed. With more extensive pelvis injuries, bleeding, internal organ damage, nerve damage, lingering pain and/or infection may happen as a result of the initial fracture or break.

As with any injury that may require surgery to fix, victims of pelvic injuries may be facing significant time in a hospital and can incur significant medical expenses, from the actual treatment that comes first to the rehabilitation services they need to undergo afterwards to get back to normal. These expenses can add up quickly and can quickly impact your life, especially if you are unable to collect a regular paycheck from being unable to perform your work duties while recovering.

If you have experienced a pelvic injury in a motor vehicle accident, fall, or other incident, we can help. Call Altman & Altman at 617-492-3000 or 800-481-6199 (toll-free) or contact us online for a free consultation. With over 50 years of experience advocating for our clients throughout Massachusetts and the Boston area, we will utilize all legal avenues to help you pay for medical expenses or recoup money that is owed to you following an injury.