After a pelvic operation

On the day of your operation

  • You will need to rest until the effects of the anaesthetic have passed. You may not be able to feel or move your leg for several hours with some types of anaesthetic.
  • When you awake you may feel some discomfort or pain, the nursing staff can give you something to ease this.
  • You will have an oxygen mask on; this will usually be taken away a day or so after your operation.
  • You may also feel slightly nauseous (sick), and the nursing staff can give you something to ease this.
  • The nursing staff will check your pulse, blood pressure and temperature frequently during the first 24 hours after your operation.
  • You will notice that you have a drip in your arm; this gives you fluids until you feel well enough to eat and drink properly.
  • You will also have a urinary catheter, which drains urine from your bladder until you are able to use a bed-pan or toilet.
  • After your operation you may also have a blood transfusion to replace some of the blood lost during the operation.
  • You will have a large dressing covering your wound and you may also have a drain in your wound. The drain removes excess fluid from around the operation site.
  • While in bed you should take frequent deep breaths to help keep your chest free of infection.
  • Doing regular ankle and foot-pumping exercise will help keeping the blood moving around your body.
  • During your hospital stay you will wear elastic stockings to help your circulation. These can be removed for you to wash your legs, and should be laundered regularly.
  • While in bed, and also if sitting for long periods of time, it is important that you change your position regularly. This will help prevent you developing any pressure sores, especially on your bottom and heels. The nursing staff can advise you about this.

On the first day after your operation

  • You will be sitting on the edge of the bed and into a chair, with the help of your nurse or physiotherapist.
  • Your drip may be removed, your wound may be re-dressed and if present the wound drain may be removed.
  • Your urinary catheter will remain until you have become more mobile around the ward and are able to use the commode.
  • Your physiotherapist will instruct you on your exercise programme. Please refer to page 14.
  • You should be seen by an occupational therapist (OT) who will discuss or practise strategies with you for managing activities of daily living (the tasks you need to do on a day to day basis).
  • The (OT) will give most patients a form for measuring the height of your furniture at home, this is to check that you will be able to get on and off these pieces of furniture, and so they can arrange equipment for you if necessary.
  • You should wear your own clothes and shoes brought in from home as soon as possible to help you feel normal.

Within the first five days after your operation

  • You should be mobile with either a frame or crutches. You will not be allowed to put any weight through your leg for the first three months (see physiotherapy section on page 14 for more information).
  • You will be able to sit out of bed for longer periods, including all meals.
  • You will be able to shower or wash with help from your nurses.
  • You will be able to dress yourself in your own clothes with help from your care team.

Please note the above is only a guide and in some circumstances progress may be slightly quicker or slower than the plan above. Your progress will differ if you can’t put weight through both legs.  At this time the team should also be looking into your discharge and planning for your return home. 

Being transferred or discharged

In some cases you will be transferred to your local hospital and this will be done with hospital transport. If you are discharged home from hospital you must arrange for a friend or relative with transport to collect you. 

Medication

After your operation, in hospital you could be started on warfarin tablets to thin your blood. This is because after pelvic fractures you are much more likely than normal to suffer deep vein thromboses (DVTs). These are blood clots - usually in the calf veins. Pelvic fracture patients are often put on this tablet for a fixed time of three months, unless there are other complications. Being on warfarin requires a blood test every week or two weeks, which should be organised for you before you are discharged. After three months this table tis normally stopped.

Follow up appointments

After discharge from hospital, you will usually be reviewed in an Orthopaedic fracture clinic by one of your doctors at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after your injury. At each visit you should seen by a doctor, and x-rays taken. 

Prognosis

After most pelvic fractures, three months later you will be allowed to walk without crutches (although this is best started with the help of a physiotherapist) and start to return to a normal life. How quickly people get back to normal is very variable, and depends on many factors including:

  • your age
  • the type of fracture
  • how it was fixed
  • other injuries
  • other medical problems.

It is important to remember however that you will keep improving for at least 12 to 18 months after your fracture, and sometimes even up to two years. If you have any specific questions about starting other activities (such as driving and sport) then bring this up with the doctor at one of your clinic visits.