Functional outcome of open reduction and internal fixation of pelvic ring injuries

Between January 1996 and August 1998, 15 patients with pelvic ring injuries were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Fractures types included Tile A1 (7%), B1 (33%), C1 (53%) and C3 (7%). The patients were observed for an average of 1 year (range: 5 to 21 months). Thirteen patients (87%) who were operated within 3 weeks after injury had their pelvic disruption healed. One patient with Tile C1 and non-union of the fracture dislocation of sacroiliac joint was operated 11 months after injury and developed implant failure and non-union of the fracture dislocation of sacroiliac joint. Another patient with Tile C1 injury with transforamina sacral fracture was fixed anteriorly only and developed non-union of the sacral fracture and redisplacement of pelvic disruption. Both of them had a poor functional outcome. A 40 points pelvic outcome grading scale (Cole et al 1996) based on physical examination, pain, radiographic analysis and activity/work status was used. Six patients (40%) (1 Tile A1, 5 Tile B1) had an excellent functional outcome. Seven patients (47%) (6 Tile C1, 1 Tile C3) had a good functional outcome.