If you have suffered a pelvis injury, you know how painful and incapacitating it can be. Pelvis injuries can occur in many ways- from a car accident to a sports injury. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment of pelvis injuries. We hope that this information will help you get back to your life as quickly as possible!
Contents
What Are Pelvis Injuries?
Pelvis injuries encompass a wide range of traumas that can occur to the bones, joints, or soft tissues of the pelvis. These injuries can be caused by car accidents, falls, or other traumatic events. While some pelvis injuries are minor and require no treatment, others can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of Pelvis Injuries
Pelvic injuries can cause several different symptoms, depending on the severity of the injury. Some common symptoms include:
Pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen: This is the most common symptom of a pelvic injury. The pain may be constant or intermittent and can range from mild to severe.
Swelling or bruising in the pelvis or lower abdomen: This is another common symptom of a pelvic injury. The swelling may be due to internal bleeding, and the bruise may indicate where the impact occurred.
Difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement: This may be due to internal bleeding or damage to the urinary or digestive system.
Loss of feeling in the genitals or rectum: This is usually due to nerve damage. For example, you may have damage to the pudendal nerve, which controls sensation in the genitals and anus. This can cause pain during intercourse, erectile dysfunction, or difficulty urinating.
Weakness or numbness in the legs: This can be caused by damage to the sciatic nerve, which runs through the pelvis. For instance, if you fall and hit your pelvis on a hard surface, it can compress the nerve and cause leg weakness or numbness.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. A pelvic injury can be a serious condition, and prompt treatment is essential.
Causes of Pelvis Injuries
There are many different causes of pelvic injuries. Some common causes include:
Car accidents: A car accident is one of the most common causes of pelvic injuries. This is because the force of the impact can cause the pelvis to be crushed or fractured.
Falls: A fall from a height, such as off a ladder or out of a tree, can also lead to a pelvic injury.
Sports injuries: Pelvic injuries are also common in contact sports, such as football and hockey. This is because the players are often tackled or hit hard in the pelvis area.
Childbirth: Childbirth is a major cause of pelvic injuries. The baby’s head places immense pressure on the pelvis, which can lead to fractures or other damage.
What Are the TheTreatment Options?
There are treatment options:
Nonsurgical options
Your doctor may recommend nonsurgical options if your pelvic injury is not severe. Nonsurgical options include:
Rest: You may need to limit your activities for some time.For instance, you may need to avoid sports or other high-impact activities for several weeks or months.
Compression: Wearing an elastic compression bandage can help reduce swelling.
Elevation: Keeping the injured area elevated above the level of your heart can help reduce swelling.
Pain medication: Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and acetaminophen (Tylenol), can help relieve pain. Your doctor also may prescribe stronger pain medications if needed.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, to reduce pain and swelling
Stretching and physical therapy exercises
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Taking NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve), can help reduce pain and swelling.
Ice and heat: Applying ice or heat to the injured area may help reduce pain and swelling.
Physical therapy: A physical therapist can teach you exercises to help improve your range of motion and strength.Exercises which are included:
Quadriceps-setting exercise: Lie on your back with a rolled-up towel under your knee. Tighten the muscles in the front of your thigh to press the back of your knee down into the towel. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds, and then relax. Repeat 10 times.
Hip abduction: Lie on your side with a pillow between your legs. Slowly raise the leg on top, away from the body, as far as possible. Return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times and then switch sides.
Bridge: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Lift your hips off the floor until your thighs and torso are in line with each other. Hold for two seconds, and then slowly lower your hips back to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
Pelvic tilt: Lie on your back on the floor with a rolled-up towel under your knees. Flatten your back against the floor, and then tilt your pelvis upward. Tighten your stomach muscles and hold for five seconds. Relax, and then repeat 10 times.
These exercises can help improve your range of motion and strengthen the muscles around your pelvis.
Surgical options
Your doctor may recommend surgery if your pelvic injury is severe. Surgical options include:
Repair of injured tissues: The surgeon will stitch together any torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles.
Fixation of pelvic bones: The surgeon may use metal rods or screws to hold the pelvic bones in place so they can heal.
Pelvic floor reconstruction: The surgeon may rebuild the tissues that support the pelvic organs.
Reconstruction of injured tissues: The doctor will put the torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles back together.
Fusion of bones in the pelvis: The doctor may use metal rods or screws to hold the pelvic bones together so they can heal.
Joint replacement in the pelvis: The doctor may replace a damaged hip joint with an artificial joint.
After surgery, you will likely need to rest and take it easy for several weeks or months. You also may need physical therapy to help you regain strength and movement in your pelvis and legs.
Conclusion
It may be concluded that pelvis injuries can cause a great deal of pain and suffering. They may also lead to long-term problems, such as incontinence or sexual dysfunction. Treatment focuses on relieving pain and restoring function. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage.
Pelvic injuries are not always caused by trauma. Sometimes, they can be the result of a birth defect or a medical condition, such as cancer. Regardless of the cause, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage and improve the chances of a full recovery. If you have any concerns about your health, be sure to talk to your doctor.
Physical Therapy help patients recover from pain. If you’re experiencing Back pain, Shoulder pain, Knee pain, Neck pain, Elbow pain, Hip pain, or Arthritis pain, a physical therapist at MantraCare can help: Book a physiotherapy session.
