[Other] Conservative versus operative treatment of LC-1 pelvic ring fractures: radiographic and long-term functional outcomes Copy

PURPOSE: To compare radiographic and long-term functional outcomes of conservatively and operatively treated traumatic lateral compression type 1 (LC-1) pelvic ring fractures, considering fracture morphology and injury severity. METHODS: This single-center observational cohort study included adult patients with traumatic LC-1 pelvic ring injuries treated between 2012 and 2020. Radiographic outcomes were assessed using the Matta–Tornetta system, and functional outcomes were evaluated at long-term follow-up using the normalized Majeed Pelvic Score and SF-12. Baseline characteristics and complications were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were included (38 conservative, 39 operative). Operatively treated patients had higher injury severity and more complex fracture morphology. Despite worse initial alignment, radiographic outcomes at follow-up were similar between groups, with most patients achieving excellent or good results. Radiographic consolidation was observed in nearly all patients. Long-term functional outcomes did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSION: In this observational cohort with substantial baseline differences, no significant differences in long-term functional outcomes were observed between treatment strategies. These findings support an individualized, morphology-based treatment approach. However, results should be interpreted with caution due to baseline imbalance and the non-randomized study design.

Keywords: Functional outcome; LC-1 injury; Lateral compression injury; Pelvic instability; Pelvic ring injury; Sacral fracture.