Rehabilitation

What should I expect as I recover from a pelvic fracture?

Bone healing from a fractured pelvis is quite rapid. Usually there are signs of union on x-ray by six weeks and patients can return to light activities at that stage. Recovery from other injuries often dominates the timetable. Return to heavier activities and sports depends on the individual case.

Physical therapy (PT) is helpful in getting mobile on crutches and recovering range of motion early in the process. Later you may benefit from a PT program for recovery of strength and endurance. If the bone heals in good position, the pelvis is stable and there are no problems with the hardware, the long term outlook for recovery of normal function following a pelvic fracture is excellent. The main concerns are recovery of any nerve injuries, loss of leg length and irregularity of the hip joint socket. These issues are considered under complications.