Pubic Rami and Sacral Fractures

5 weeks ago - I suffered fractures of the superior and inferior pubic rami. The fractures were non-displaced and only one was coimmuted (sp?). Though the two pieces were held in place by the muscles. This happened away from home when my car's emergency brake inexplicably released (while I was behind the car) and slammed me into a corrogated steel wall.

Upon follow-up with my local orthopedic doctor and a subsquent additional CT scan, it was determined I had a tiny vertical sacral fracture of in between S1 and S3. Though my doctor had a hard time finding it, he finally located it on one frame of the CT scan.

I have been progressing daily dealing with the muscle pain and up until 4 days ago walking with either crutches or a cane. I am still dealing with some symptoms, mainly:

Tingling in the foot (lots of pins and needles)
Pain in the calf
Pain on back of knee and down thigh
Pinching feeling in groin and at the coccyx area

Are these signs that maybe I have pushed myself to hard and the fractures are not healing correctly? How would I recognize that there are issues that I should immediately report to my ortho? I am scheduled to go back next Tuesday. I don't seem to having any piercing pain and canly describe what I am going through as highly uncomfortable.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Difficult to say without examination.  The symptoms you describe may be part of the normal healing process, or it could be due to the fracture.  Radiating pain down the legs as well as bony pain along the spine could be symptoms related to the injury.  

An MRI can be considered for further evaluation of the spine.  Nerve conduction studies can be considered to evaluate for any pinched nerves.  

Another opinion can be considered with a spine specialist - preferably at a major academic medical center.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com