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Sub-Category:

Open-Book Fractures

Symptoms:
severe pelvic pain; visible deformity of the pelvis; swelling; bruising; instability of the pelvis; bleeding (internal or external)

Root Cause:
The pelvis is disrupted at the pubic symphysis, causing the pelvis to "open" like a book due to significant trauma, often resulting in ligament tears and potential vascular injury.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, X-rays, CT scans, and assessing for signs of instability or associated vascular/organ damage.

Treatment:
Emergency stabilization with a pelvic binder or external fixator, fluid resuscitation, blood transfusions, and definitive surgical repair (internal fixation).

Medications:
Pain management with opioids (e.g., morphine or hydromorphone ), anticoagulants (e.g., low-molecular-weight heparin to prevent deep vein thrombosis), and antibiotics (e.g., cefazolin for infection prophylaxis in open fractures).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; typically occurs in high-impact trauma scenarios such as motor vehicle accidents or falls from significant heights.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-energy trauma, osteoporosis, advanced age, motor vehicle collisions, or significant falls.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable depending on severity; with proper treatment, survival rates are high, though long-term complications such as chronic pain or mobility issues can occur.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hemorrhage, organ damage (e.g., bladder or urethra injury), infection, deep vein thrombosis, chronic pelvic instability, and post-traumatic arthritis.

Acetabular Fractures

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Pelvic Injuries

Sub-category: Pelvic Fractures

Symptoms:
severe hip pain; difficulty or inability to bear weight; leg deformity or rotation; swelling and bruising around the hip or groin

Root Cause:
Fracture of the acetabulum (hip socket), typically caused by high-energy trauma such as car accidents or falls, or by lower-energy impacts in patients with weakened bones.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical assessment, X-rays, CT scans for detailed imaging, and occasionally MRI to evaluate soft tissue or cartilage damage.

Treatment:
Nonsurgical management (rest, traction, and physical therapy) for stable fractures; surgical intervention (open reduction and internal fixation) for displaced or unstable fractures.

Medications:
Pain relief with NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen ) or opioids (e.g., oxycodone ); anticoagulants like enoxaparin to prevent blood clots; antibiotics for infection prophylaxis in open or surgical cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; occurs most often in young adults involved in high-energy trauma or in older individuals with osteoporotic bones.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-impact trauma, osteoporosis, advanced age, or previous pelvic injuries.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with appropriate treatment, though some patients may experience long-term issues such as arthritis or limited range of motion.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Post-traumatic arthritis, nerve injury (e.g., sciatic nerve damage), blood clots, chronic pain, and hip instability.