Pelvic Fracture Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department

When to Suspect a Pelvis Fracture

Pediatric pelvis fractures are rare, occurring in 2.4 to 7.5% of pediatric trauma patients. They result from high force mechanisms of injury. It is important to assess for associated injuries (head, torso) as a majority of children with significant fractures have significant associated injuries.

Common Causes and Clinical Findings

Common Causes	Result of high force (look for associated injuries) MVC Pedestrian vs. MVC Falls from significant height Bicycle or motor bike accidents High energy sports
Clinical Findings	Swelling, tenderness, instability on exam of the bony pelvis Bruising in the buttocks, perineal, or scrotal region Inability to bear weight Deformity that includes leg shortening or rotation Obvious pelvis asymmetry Open wound in the pelvic area

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The clinical pathways are based upon publicly available medical evidence and/or a consensus of medical practitioners at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (“CHOP”) and are current at the time of publication. These clinical pathways are intended to be a guide for practitioners and may need to be adapted for each specific patient based on the practitioner’s professional judgment, consideration of any unique circumstances, the needs of each patient and their family, and/or the availability of various resources at the health care institution where the patient is located.

Accordingly, these clinical pathways are not intended to constitute medical advice or treatment, or to create a doctor-patient relationship between/among The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (“CHOP”), its physicians and the individual patients in question. CHOP does not represent or warrant that the clinical pathways are in every respect accurate or complete, or that one or more of them apply to a particular patient or medical condition. CHOP is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the clinical pathways, or for any outcomes a patient might experience where a clinician consulted one or more such pathways in connection with providing care for that patient.

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Pelvic Fracture Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department

When to Suspect a Pelvis Fracture

Common Causes and Clinical Findings

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Child with Suspected Pelvis Fracture — When to Suspect a Pelvis Fracture — Clinical Pathway: Emergency

Pelvic Fracture Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department

When to Suspect a Pelvis Fracture

Common Causes and Clinical Findings