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Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis: Current Practices and Future Directions

  • Orthopedic Management of Fractures (R Natoli and L Gerstenfeld, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To summarise the current evidence and clinical practices for patients with fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP).

Recent Findings

FFPs are an increasingly prevalent and recognised problem in the elderly population. Recent evidence indicates they have a significant impact on function, morbidity and mortality. While traditional management of FFPs was predominantly non-surgical, surgical options have been increasingly used, with a range of surgical methods available. To date, limited consensus exists on the optimal strategy for suitable patient selection, and clinical trials in this population have proved problematic.

Summary

The management of FFPs requires a multi-faceted approach to enhance patient care, including adequate pain control, minimisation of complications and optimisation of medical management. Early return to mobilisation should be a key treatment goal to maintain functional independence. The selection of patients who will maximally benefit from surgical treatment, and the most appropriate surgical strategy to employ, remains contentious.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Lynn Hutchings, Darren M. Roffey & Kelly A. Lefaivre

  2. Division of Orthopaedic Trauma, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Darren M. Roffey & Kelly A. Lefaivre

  3. Division of Orthopaedic Trauma, Department of Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 3rd Floor, DHCC, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada

    Kelly A. Lefaivre

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Correspondence to Kelly A. Lefaivre.

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The authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work. Lynn Hutchings and Darren Roffey have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Outside of the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript, Kelly Lefaivre owns stock in Curvafix, has received consultant honoraria from Zimmer Biomet and Depuy Synthes, has received research support from Zimmer Biomet and AO North America, and is an unpaid committee member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) and Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA).

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Hutchings, L., Roffey, D.M. & Lefaivre, K.A. Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis: Current Practices and Future Directions. Curr Osteoporos Rep 20, 469–477 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-022-00760-9

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