Overview

The pelvis is the ring of bones between the hips. It connects to the spine and to the leg bones at the hip joints. Blood vessels, nerves, and muscles run through the pelvic ring and can be affected by a break. A broken pelvis also can affect the organs in the pelvic area.

A broken pelvis may need a few months to heal. Your child may have had surgery to repair the pelvis, depending on where it was broken and how bad the break was. The doctor may have put metal screws, pins, or a rod in your child's pelvis to fix the break. In some cases, surgery is not needed. While the pelvis heals, your child will need to keep weight off the hips. When your child is able to walk, a walker or crutches can help. You can help your child's pelvis heal with care at home. The doctor may prescribe medicine to relieve pain and prevent blood clots.

Healthy habits can help your child heal. Give your child a variety of healthy foods. And don't smoke around your child.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Put ice or a cold pack on the painful area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when your child is awake). Put a thin cloth between the ice and your child's skin.
• Be safe with medicines. Give pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
  • If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask the doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• Help your child put only as much weight on each leg as the doctor prescribes. Your doctor may advise that your child use crutches.
• Help your child avoid constipation.
  • Include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains in your child's diet each day. These foods are high in fibre.
  • Give your child plenty of fluids. If your child has kidney, heart, or liver disease and has to limit fluids, talk with the doctor before you give your child more fluids to drink.
  • Help your child get some exercise every day, as soon as your child is able to walk and the doctor says it is okay to exercise. Build up slowly to at least 1 hour of moderate to vigorous exercise every day.
  • Schedule time each day for a bowel movement. A daily routine may help. Ask your child to take time and not strain when having a bowel movement.