Patient Weight-bearing after Pelvic Fracture Surgery-A Systematic Review of the Literature: What is the Modern Evidence Base?

Outcomes of surgically treated posterior pelvic fractures in an Australian population: A multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Unstable posterior pelvic-ring fractures are rare and difficult to manage. There are many injury patterns, they are associated with high morbidity and mortality, and optimal surgical management remains contentions. This study aims to compare outcomes and complications for different surgical management of these injuries.

METHODS

This was a multi-centre observational study of patients with traumatic posterior pelvic-ring injuries that underwent operative management between 1st January 2010 and 1st January 2020 at three Australian MTS. Cases were identified using internal hospital databases and the Victorian State Trauma registry. Data was retrieved from medical records and included surgeries, fixation method, length of stay, and outcomes (revision surgery, infection, hardware breakage, screw misplacement and hardware removal), time to each outcome was also recorded. The extracted data was collated and then analysed using RStudio; generalised liner models and linear regression models were developed to calculate mean differences and odd ratios.

RESULTS

There were 439 cases (309 males and 130 females) in the cohort with a median age of 39 years. The overall prevalence of revision was 7.7 %; 4.8 % for infection, 1.8 % for hardware failure and 13.2 % for removal of hardware. Bulkier, more prominent fixation methods had higher rates of metalware removal. Numbers were too small in subgroups to detect a significant difference in complication rates between fixation method. However, bilateral injuries had a significant effect on revision with a calculated prevalence of 16.7 % vs 5.6 % for unilateral injuries. Cases managed with open-reduction had a calculated infection rate of 15.6 % vs 4.6 %. Length-of-stay was increased in patients managed with temporising external fixators, who had bilateral injuries, where infection occurred or were restricted to non-weight bearing postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlight bilateral posterior-pelvic ring injuries as a greater management challenge than unilateral injuries. It supports the use of percutaneous fixation with closed-reduction, decreased infection risk and decreased length-of-stay. It challenges the use of external fixators and supports less restrictive post-operative restrictions. This study also serves as a descriptive analysis for the current management of pelvic fractures in an Australian setting, shedding light on complication rates and profiles.

Minimally invasive screw fixation of the anterior pelvic ring and the distal ilium : Tips and tricks to be successful

OBJECTIVE

Minimally invasive percutaneous techniques are used to stabilize fractures of the anterior pelvic ring. Stabilization of the fracture facilitates early mobilization and rehabilitation, while percutaneous techniques reduce complications such as infection and bleeding.

INDICATIONS

Indicated for patients with non- or minimally displaced fractures of the anterior pelvic ring, or if fracture displacement can be reduced using minimally invasive techniques.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Contraindications include infection at the surgical site, anatomical inability to place screws, or patients unfit for surgery due to health risks.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

The technique involves the insertion of ante- and retrograde transpubic screws and lateral compression (LC) II screws in supine position. Precise reduction of fractures is achieved using minimally invasive techniques.

POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT

In younger patients, partial weight bearing for 6 weeks is recommended, with full weight bearing in older patients.

RESULTS

Literature reports a high union rate of up to 95% for these procedures, with low rates of nonunion and infection (around 2%). Screw loosening or loss of reduction occurs in 8-18% of cases, with better outcomes using bicortical screws.

Comparative study on anterior pelvic plating and pubic ramus screw fixation for straddle fracture: a matched-pair outcome analysis

PURPOSE

Straddle fractures involving both the superior and inferior rami often require surgical fixation due to instability. This study compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of pubic ramus screw fixation (PRSF) and anterior pelvic plating (APP) for the treatment of these fractures to identify the superior method.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients (37 males, 33 females; average age 47.6 years) treated surgically for straddle fractures at two Level 1 trauma centres between May 2017 and August 2022. The patients were divided into two groups, where 26 underwent PRSF and 44 underwent APP. The groups were matched based on preoperative characteristics such as age, sex, body mass index, injury mechanism, and severity. The key variables analysed included operation time, blood transfusion volume, early weight-bearing capability, and complication and reoperation rates.

RESULTS

After matching, PRSF was associated with a shorter operative time (71.0 min vs. 118.3 min for APP, p < 0.0009) and lower blood transfusion requirements (0 units vs. 1 unit, p < 0.0001). Postoperatively, 61.5% of PRSF patients tolerated early weight-bearing, compared to none in the APP group. However, in two cases, PRSF could not be performed due to severe comminution or anatomical limitations, necessitating conversion to APP. Complication rates were similar between the groups (30.8% for PRSF vs. 27.3% for APP, p = 0.93).

CONCLUSION

PRSF demonstrated advantages, such as shorter operative time, reduced blood transfusions, and earlier weight-bearing. However, APP remains valuable for complex fracture patterns. Treatment should be individualized based on fracture complexity and patient-specific factors to optimize outcomes.

Surgical Management of Unstable U-Shaped Sacral Fractures and Tile C Pelvic Ring Disruptions: Institutional Experience in Light of a Narrative Literature Review

Unstable U-shaped sacral fractures and vertical shear Tile C pelvic ring disruptions are characterized by rare lesions occurring in patients with severe trauma. Because the initial damage-control resuscitation primarily aims to stop life-threatening bleeding, emergency treatment often includes an anterior external pelvic fixator. Delayed surgery is mandatory to allow early mobilization, reduce mortality, and improve functional outcomes. Regarding U-shaped sacral fractures, although Roy-Camille type 1 U-shaped sacral fractures can be treated with iliosacral screws, types 2 (posteriorly displaced, equivalent to AO Spine C3) and 3 (anteriorly displaced, equivalent to AO Spine C3) fractures require spinopelvic triangular fixation. Besides, proper reduction of type 2 and some type 3 sacral fractures is mandatory to prevent wound complications. In patients with neurological deficits, the need for sacral laminectomy is left at the discretion of the surgeon, given the indirect decompression already obtained with fracture reduction. Tile C pelvic disruptions with posterior ring injury located lateral to the sacral foramen can be treated with either iliosacral screws or triangular spinopelvic fixation, combined with anterior pelvic fixation. Conversely, Tile C pelvic disruptions with posterior ring injury located at, or medial, to the sacral foramen (Denis zone II or III) induce vertical lumbosacral instability and thus require spinopelvic triangular fixation with anterior pelvic osteosynthesis. Although minimally invasive techniques have been developed, open surgeries are still required for inexperienced operators and in case of major displacement. The complication rate reaches approximately 33.33% of the cases, and complications include hardware malposition, wound infection or dehiscence, hardware prominence, and sometimes hardware failure.

Is unrestricted weight bearing immediately after fixation of rotationally unstable pelvic fractures safe?

INTRODUCTION

Rotationally unstable pelvic fractures treated with surgical fixation have traditionally been treated with restricted weight bearing on the affected side for 6-8 weeks post operatively. We have been developing pelvic fixation standards to allow for unrestricted weight bearing immediately post operatively in type B rotationally unstable pelvic fractures.

AIMS

To assess for safety and efficacy of allowing unrestrictive weight bearing in this cohort of patients, we have clinically and radiologically monitored outcomes up to two years post operatively.

METHODS

Through retrospective review, two cohorts of patients with Tile Type B pelvic fractures were identified that were treated at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia. Patient demographics, injury classification, surgical fixation and weight bearing status post operatively was recorded. One cohort of patients was allowed to fully weight bear post operatively, whilst the other was treated with 6 weeks of restricted post op weight bearing. At clinical follow up, post-operative x-rays were assessed for loss of reduction, screw or plate breakage and reoperation.

RESULTS

Between January 2018 and January 2021, 53 patients with rotationally unstable pelvic fractures that underwent surgical fixation were included in this study. One group of patents were allowed to immediately weight bear as tolerated (WBAT) post operatively (n = 28) and the other with restricted weightbearing (RWB) (n = 25). There was 1 re operation for failure of fixation in each group. Metalwork breakage was more common in the WBAT group than in the RWB group and this was seen only in APC fractures. This increase in metalwork failure was not associated with loss of reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

With surgical fixation, Tile type B rotationally unstable pelvic fractures can be allowed immediate weight bearing post operatively. We found this to be safe and effective, employing surgical strategies to address both anterior and posterior injuries to allow immediate unrestricted weight bearing. Broken metalwork was more commonly seen in the WBAT group but this was not associated with loss of reduction or reoperation.

Rehabilitative management of pelvic fractures needs to be further optimized

We read with interest the review by Piccione et al. into the rehabilitative management of patients with pelvic fracture (PF). This review adds to our knowledge about the significance and indispensability of early multidisciplinary intervention in PF. From our perspective, however, potential bias might be caused by several unanswered questions. The uncertain methodological process and the unclear definition could misguide the rehabilitation strategies while still in dispute. Therefore, further high-quality studies should be conducted to optimize the multidisciplinary rehabilitation of patients with PF.

Comparison of lumbopelvic fixation and iliosacral screw fixation for the treatment of bilateral sacral fractures

Background

Bilateral sacral fractures result in traumatic disruption of the posterior pelvic ring. Treatment for unstable posterior pelvic ring fractures should aim for fracture reduction and rigid fixation to facilitate early mobilization. Iliosacral screw fixation (ISF) and lumbopelvic fixation (LPF) were recommended for the treatment of these injuries. No algorithm or gold standard exists for surgery of these fractures.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences between ISF and LPF in bilateral sacral fractures regarding intraoperative procedures, complications and postoperative mobilization. The secondary aim was to determine whether demographics influence surgical treatment.

Methods

Over a 4-year period (2016–2019), 188 consecutive patients with pelvic ring injuries were treated at one academic level 1 trauma center and retrospectively identified. Fractures were classified according to the AO/OTA classification system. Seventy-seven patients were treated with LPF or ISF in combination with internal fixation of pubic rami fractures and could be included in this study. Comparisons were made between demographic and perioperative data. Infection, hematoma and hardware malpositioning were used as complication variables. Mobilization with unrestricted weight bearing was used as outcome variable. Follow-up was at least 6 months postoperatively.

Results

Operative stabilization of bilateral posterior pelvic ring injuries was performed in 77 patients. Therefore, 29 patients (females 59%) underwent LPF whereas 48 patients (females 83%) had bilateral ISF. The ISF group was older (76 yrs.) compared to the LPF group (62 yrs.) (p = 0.001), but no differences regarding BMI or comorbidities were detected. Time for surgery was reduced for patients who were treated with ISF compared to lumbopelvic fixation (73 min vs. 165 min; respectively, p < 0.001). But this did not result in reduced fluoroscopic time or radiation exposure. Overall complication rate was not different between the groups. Patients with LPF had a greater length of stay (p = 0.008) but were all weight bearing as tolerated when discharged (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Bilateral posterior pelvic ring injuries of the sacrum can be sufficiently treated by LPF or ISF. LPF allows immediate weight bearing which may benefit younger patients and patients with an elevated risk for pneumonia or other pulmonary complications. Treatment with ISF reduces operative time, length of stay and postoperative wound infection. Elderly patients may be better suited for treatment with ISF if there is concern that the patient may not tolerate the increased operative time.

Radiostereometric Analysis Allows Assessment of the Stability and Inducible Displacement of Pelvic Ring Disruptions during Healing: A Case Series

There is currently no accurate data on fracture displacement during the rehabilitation of pelvic ring injuries. This study investigated the use of radiostereometric analysis (RSA) in assessing the stability of C1 pelvic ring injuries stabilised with a posterior plate and an anterior external fixator. Six patients, instructed to weight-bear as tolerated after surgery, were reviewed at 2, 4, 6, 12, 26, 52 and 104 weeks. The external fixators were removed at 6 weeks. Outcomes, including the Iowa Pelvic Score (IPS), and complications were recorded. Fracture stability was assessed using measurements on plain radiographs and RSA. All patients progressed to full weight-bearing without support within 6 weeks. At 104 weeks, the IPS was excellent in four patients, good in one patient and fair in one patient. Plain radiographs showed that all fractures were well reduced, and no loss of reduction occurred over time. By contrast, RSA measurements identified displacement in all cases. The maximum three-dimensional (3D) displacement at any time point in each patient ranged from 2 to 10 mm. Two patients with the largest displacement over time had the lowest IPS. RSA also demonstrated displacements above the currently defined normal threshold through the ‘un-injured’ sacroiliac joint in the same two patients, suggesting a subtle C2 injury, missed at initial assessment. This study demonstrates the limitations of plain radiographs in assessing pelvic fracture stability and displacement during healing, and the potential of RSA to monitor more accurately the effects of stabilisation and weight-bearing on fracture stability.