LONG-TERM RESULTS OF UNSTABLE PELVIC RING FRACTURES IN CHILDREN

Seventeen patients less than 12 years old sustained unstable pelvic ri ng fractures and were treated non-operatively. They were followed for 2 to 25 years. The subjective long-term results depended on the presen ce or absence of low back pain. This correlated strongly with pelvic a symmetry. Five patients complained about chronic back pain, two were f unctionally impaired tnf severe pelvic asymmetry. Healing of an unstab le pelvic fracture in malposition with asymmetry causes poor results a nd must be prevented. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.