Most of us know the unbearable pain of a broken arm or a leg, but a broken pelvis or a hip socket is a far more serious injury. They happen due to accidents, road accidents, falls from heights, and excessive force on the body. According to NCBI, approximately 77% of these fractures are acetabular fractures, with road traffic accidents being a major causative factor.
Pelvis and hip socket fractures are associated with gut-wrenching pain, mobility issues, and doubts about recovery. If you or your loved ones are facing this, in this blog, Dr. Kishore Kumar Panda has explained all about pelvic and hip socket fractures, their treatment options, recovery, and how to find the best orthopaedists in Bhubaneswar.
Pelvic and Acetabular Fracture Treatment in Bhubaneswar
The treatment will also vary based on the kind of fracture, how much the bones have moved out of their normal alignment, and if there are any other injuries. Apart from this, a person’s age and overall health also play a major role.
#1 Non-surgical treatment
Pelvic and acetabular fractures don’t always need to be operated on. If the fracture is stable and the bones are not out of place, your doctor may put you on a nonoperative track.
This may include:
- management of pain under a medical coordinator.
- brief weight-bearing activity limitations.
- walking aid use if applicable.
- regular examination appointments and monitoring with radiographs of the healing process.
- physical therapy at the right time to enhance mobility and strengthening.
Walking is based on the injury type, but always consult before walking with an injured leg or arm.
#2 Surgical treatment
This may mean the case requires surgery if there is an unstable fracture, misaligned bones, or the surface of the joint where the fracture is situated has sustained damage.
This requires an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure, which is done by the orthopedic surgeon to reposition the fractured bone and then fix it properly in place using customised plates and screws.
The main focus is getting the pelvic bone back into its natural shape and holding the fracture steady while it heals.
But the acetabular fracture is a complicated type of bone injury for the orthopedic surgeon since the surgeon has to work around important nerves, blood vessels, and surrounding tissues. The appropriate approach is based on the pattern of the fracture.
Sometimes more surgeries might have to be done due to serious trauma or damage to the hip joint.
What is the Recovery Time After a Pelvic Or Acetabular Fracture?
Every patient is different and recovery depends on the type of fracture, the treatment used, the patient’s overall health and the presence of other injuries.
Other patients (those with stable fractures) may take a few weeks to regain normal activities, while more complicated fractures (surgical) may take months to recover.
At this stage, the patient may be restricted to weight-bearing activities and must attend follow-up appointments and attend physiotherapy.
Remember, though, that a pain-free bone does not mean t hat it has healed. Following the instructions of the surgeon will ensure a decreased risk of complications, which will in turn make it easier to return to everyday life.
How to Find the Best Specialist for Pelvic & Acetabular Surgery in Bhubaneswar?
If you are looking for the top hospitals or specialists for pelvic and acetabular fracture treatment in Bhubaneswar, then take into account some of these aspects:
#1 Have experience in treating complex fractures
Do your research and make sure that the orthopaedic specialist has successfully treated such pelvic and acetabular fractures before.
#2 Imaging facilities
The use of imaging technologies such as CT scans may help medical professionals assess the fractures and come up with the proper plan for the treatment of pelvic and acetabular fractures.
#3 Emergency surgical facilities
Sometimes, an injury in the pelvis can result in bleeding inside the body, as well as injuries to other organs of the body. Having the right emergency, anesthesia, and surgery facilities in hospitals will be beneficial.
#4 Rehabilitation
Once the surgery is done, the process of the recovery is not finished yet. Follow-up therapy and a proper rehabilitation program will help the patients to recover and regain mobility and independence.
Apart from this, patients are able to ask specialists about the kinds of treatment, risks involved in such cases, as well as expected outcomes and further follow-up.
Wrapping Up
Pelvic and acetabular fractures are a very serious condition, but the majority of patients can return to a normal life if they follow the right treatment modalities and instructions.
But if you are looking for pelvic and acetabular fracture treatment in Bhubaneswar, then please first know all the causes associated with it, and then read the diagnosis.
There are various treatments available, but you need to analyse the precise location and the graveness of the disease. According to Dr. Kishore Kumar Panda, always seek immediate medical help if you notice the following after an accident, such as a suspected pelvic or acetabular fracture, and do not wait to go to the emergency department or risk walking on an acutely painful injury.
