Study design: A prospective single-cohort study of 31 patients surgically treated for pelvic injuries with displaced sacral fractures.
Objective: To describe the medium term functional outcome in unstable sacral fractures.
Summary of background data: Displaced sacral fractures pose a special challenge in orthopedic surgery due to the high rate of associated injuries. Little information is available on the medium-term functional outcome of patients with injuries which include unstable sacral fractures.
Methods: We examined 31 patients with displaced sacral fractures having 10 mm or more displacement, 1 year (mean, 1.4 years; range, 1.0-2.5 years) after injury. Data from a previous study were supplemented with functional outcome measures (work status, independence in ADL, and SF-36). An association between outcome and tested variables was sought.
Results: Fifteen months after injury, 65% of the patients had regained their independence in functions pertaining to daily activities; 33% had returned to work. All dimensions of perceived health were affected. Polytrauma and impairments relative to voiding and sexual function had a detrimental effect on outcome. Fracture characteristics were not predictive of poor outcome.
Conclusions: Although the majority of patients achieved independent living, medium-term follow-up indicated significant residual disability. The complex nature of these fractures and the associated injuries should be considered in the rehabilitation of these patients.