Sacrum fracture
Content:
- Causes of the sacrum fracture
- Sacrum fracture symptoms
- Types of sacrum fracture
- Diagnostics and treatment
The sacrum is the large sphenoid bone lying at the base of the spine and located between the bones of the pelvis. Injuries in this area are common, but fractures are rare among them.
The location of the sacrum contributes to the occurrence of injuries, since it is he who is exposed to significant loads on the spine and on the sacroiliac joints.
Fractures account for a third of all injuries, and only 20% of them are independent pathologies. In all other cases, the sacrum is damaged along with the pelvic bones with which it is directly connected.
Causes of the sacrum fracture
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Car crash. In a traffic accident, the chance of injury to the sacrum is very high. The resulting fractures are often complicated by displacements and require special treatment.
- Osteoporosis. This disease manifests itself in the form of a decrease in bone density. In this state, it is easily damaged, so one of the most common complications in osteoporosis is a fracture. The danger of the disease lies in the fact that it usually manifests itself in the later stages and mainly in older and elderly people. A fracture in this case often becomes the cause of disability and even death of the patient.
Increased fatigue, pain in the ore and vertebral region, curvature of the spine, decreased growth - all this indicates osteoporosis. When these symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor in order to prevent serious consequences that the disease entails, including a fracture of the sacrum.
- mechanical damage. They can be caused by injury, most often a fall. People who try to commit suicide by jumping from a great height tend to break the sacrum. This type of injury can also occur when falling down stairs.
- compression of the pelvic bone in the anteroposterior direction.
Sacrum fracture symptoms
In many cases, a fracture of the sacral spine has mild symptoms. This is the main reason why a fracture may not be detected immediately. The patient may not experience severe discomfort, and outwardly damage is noticeable only by a slight swelling.
One of the main signs of a sacral fracture is pain in the lower spine and pelvis. When pressing on a visible swelling, the patient experiences discomfort. In difficult cases of sacral fractures, pain is felt in the groin, in the lumbar spine. They can be accompanied by hemorrhage. The patient cannot lie on his back, so most often he tries to find a comfortable position on his stomach or on his side. Displaced sacral fractures damage the rectum. In this case, the doctor must conduct a digital examination. In addition, complicated sacral fractures are often the cause of neurological disorders. So, they are often expressed in problems with physical activity.
Types of sacrum fracture
Depending on the complexity of the fracture, the following types are distinguished:
- Uncomplicated. It is often called stable. In this case, the injury is not considered dangerous, since it is not accompanied by displacement of bone fragments, rupture of the pelvic ring, the integrity of the nerves and blood vessels is preserved.
- Complicated. This type of fracture requires special treatment. It is also known as unstable and is characterized by vascular and nerve damage. In addition, with a complicated fracture of the sacrum, bone fragments are displaced, as a result of which the integrity of the muscle tissue and the pelvic ring is disrupted.
In accordance with the direction, the fracture of the sacrum is of the following types:
- vertical - damage affects the right or left side of the sacral articulation, as well as the pelvic bones;
- horizontal - in this case, the lower part of the sacral articulation is injured. The fracture is usually isolated, that is, the integrity of the pelvic bones is not compromised;
- comminuted - the damage is accompanied by the formation of a bone fragment, and the fracture site has an uneven edge;
- oblique - the sacral joint is injured diagonally. Usually, with this type of fracture, the pelvic bones are also damaged.
Diagnostics and treatment
The main diagnostic method for suspected sacral fracture is X-ray. It is usually performed in two projections. Often, computed tomography is necessary to determine an accurate diagnosis. It is required for displaced fractures.
The first action in assisting a patient with such an injury is presacral novocaine blockade, which eliminates pain. A roller is placed under the sacral spine, which removes the load at the fracture site and allows the fragments to be connected, giving them the desired position. It takes at least 2 months to heal the fracture. With the permission of the doctor, the patient can start sitting a little earlier.
An unstable fracture requires surgery. The operation cannot be avoided in case of hemorrhage. At the beginning, the surgeon will eliminate it, and then will carry out osteosynthesis, that is, will make the connection of bone fragments. After the operation, the patient must stay in bed for several weeks, and more often months.
On the subject: 12 popular ways for home treatment
The restoration of motor ability after a sacrum fracture is carried out through physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapy and massage. These methods can help ease pain. The most effective are manual therapy and acupuncture. Often the doctor recommends wearing a special corset. It relieves stress on weakened muscles and the area of injury, provides the necessary support for the first time after injury. Calcium electrophoresis can be used to accelerate the formation of callus. This is one of the methods for recovering from sacrum trauma. Swimming will be useful for the patient, but this type of physical activity is allowed after consultation with the attending physician.
Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist
Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.
