Outcome after pelvic ring fractures: evaluation using the medical outcomes short form SF-36.

Fifty-five multiply injured patients with operatively treated unstable pelvic fractures were evaluated for patient-oriented outcome measures. Forty-six adult patients were eligible to complete the SF-36 medical outcome score and completed the SF-36 eight scale medical outcome score by postal questionnaire at a mean follow up to 2 years. The average Injury Severity Score of the eligible patients was 17.5. The average age of the patients was 32 years and 8 months. Fractures were classified by the Tile classification and there were 13 type B and 33 type C pelvic fractures. Seventy-six per cent of patients responded to the surgery. There was a 14 per cent impairment in physical outcome score and a 5.5 per cent impairment in mental outcome score compared with the normal population. The physical and mental outcome of multiply injured patients with pelvic fractures can be measured objectively.