Sacral Fracture

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A sacral fracture is a break in your sacrum. The sacrum is a triangle-shaped (three sided) bone made up of five fused (joined) vertebrae. The vertebrae are the bones that make up your spine. The sacrum is found at the end of the spine, with the hip bones on each side. Sacral fractures are often caused by injury, such as high intensity activities, car accidents, or a fall. You may have low back, buttock, or hip pain or swelling around the sacrum. Bowel or bladder problems and lower limb weakness may also be present with a sacral fracture. Tests to diagnose a sacral fracture include sacral x-rays and a bone scan. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computerized tomography (CT) scan may also be done. Treatment depends on the type of sacral fracture that you have. Sometimes only rest and exercises are needed to heal from a sacral fracture. Surgery may be needed for severe fractures.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Any injury to your vertebrae may also affect your spinal cord, and be very serious. Your spinal cord lies in the center of your vertebrae. The spinal cord is the central nervous connection between the brain and the body. A sacral fracture may lead to bladder or bowel problems, sexual problems, or weakness of the lower limbs.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Medicines: Your caregiver may give you the following kinds of medicines:

• Medicines for pain, swelling, or fever: You may be given medicines to treat pain, swelling, or fever while you are in the hospital. These medicines are safe for most people to use. However, they can cause serious problems when used by people with certain medical conditions. Tell caregivers if you have liver or kidney disease, a history of bleeding in your stomach, or any other medical problems. Also tell your caregiver about any allergies you have to medicines. Tell your caregiver about all other medicines, herbs, and supplements that you have taken lately.
  
  

Physical therapy: A physical therapist helps you with special exercises. These exercises help make your bones and muscles stronger.

Tests:

• Computerized tomography scan: This is also called a CT or CAT scan. This is a type of x-ray that uses computers to take pictures of your sacrum. You may be given a dye before the pictures are taken to help your caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish, or have other allergies or medical conditions.
  
  
• Bone scan: This is a test to look at your bones. You are given a small, safe amount of radioactive dye in an IV. Pictures are then taken of your bones. Caregivers can look at the pictures for broken bones, infections, or cancer in the bones.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging scan: This is also called an MRI. The test uses magnetic waves to take pictures of your sacrum and to see if there is damage to the spinal cord.
  
  
• X-rays: You may need x-rays of the sacrum to check for broken bones or other problems in your hip.

Treatment options: You may have surgery if you have a severe sacral fracture. This may be done to return the bones to their normal position. Surgery may also help your caregiver check for other problems in your spinal canal.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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