Abstract
Neurologic complications of fracture of the pelvis are an entity rarely discussed and likely to be undiagnosed because of being obscured by the associated severe bony and soft tissue injury and because of a lack of awareness of the possibility of nerve demage.
We encounted 5 cases of nerve injury as a result of fracture of the pelvis at the Kumamoto Rosai Hospital over the year 1968 to 1969.
Classifying fractures of the pelvis in our cases, 2 cases had Malgaigne's fractures and one case separation of the symphysis pubis with fractures of the pubic rami and the ischium. Other two cases had fracture from the ilium to the acetabulum and fracture of the pubic rami and the ischium. All fracture of our cases correspondingly severe with the pelvic ring continuity brocken anteriorly or posteriorly. Although it is difficult to explain accurate level of the lesion in our cases, perhaps the lesion is thought to be due to damage at the plexus level.
Especially the lumbosacral trunk was involved in all of our cases. The nerve damage was incomplete. All of the cases were treated with the conservative methods.
The prognosis of this injury is comparatively good, although there may be weakness in the leg and hypesthesia in the foot. But the functional results of all cases are good, two cases returning to heavy work.
