Young et al reported a classification of pelvic ring fractures. They correlated these with the direction of applied force.
Direction and Nature of Force
Shared Feature
anterior posterior compression (APC)
separation of the symphysis pubis
lateral compression (LC)
vertical sacral fracture through the sacral foramina AND fracture of the superior and inferior rami
vertical shear (VS)
ipsilateral fracture of superior and inferior rami AND separation of sacroiliac joint AND separation of iliolumbar ligament
APC Types
Additional Features
Type I
minor separation of the symphysis pubis
Type II
major separation of the symphysis pubis AND damage to the sacroiliac joint AND separation of the sacrotuberous/sacrospinous ligaments
Type III
major separation of the symphysis pubis AND separation of the sacroiliac joint AND separation of the sacrotuberous/sacrospinous ligaments
LC Types
Additional Features
Type I
separation of the iliolumbar ligament
Type II
fracture of the wing of the ilium
Type III
fracture of the wind of the ilium AND contralateral fractures of the superior and inferior rami AND separation of the sacrotuberous/sacrospinous ligaments AND damage to the ipsilateral sacroiliac joint
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