The crescent fracture: a posterior fracture dislocation of the sacroiliac joint

Abstract

Between October 1987 and August 1992, 22 patients with crescent fractures, a posterior fracture-dislocation of the sacroiliac joint, were admitted, treated, and available for review at Tampa General Hospital and The Hospital for Special Surgery. The purpose of the study was twofold: (a) to evaluate the incidence, severity, and pattern of associated injuries, and (b) to determine the efficacy of a treatment protocol using a posterior extrapelvic approach and extraarticular internal fixation. The study population was composed of 13 females and nine males; the average age was 25 years (range 10-52). Despite the fracture pattern resulting in a rotationally unstable hemipelvis, all patients were hemodynamically stable at the time of presentation. Fourteen patients (64%) had other associated injuries, including five (23%) with closed head injury. In all cases a posterior extrapelvic approach was used with an anatomic reduction of the fractured iliac wing and the sacroiliac joint dislocation. Stable extraarticular internal fixation was obtained using intertable lag screws and outer-table neutralization plates. All the fractures were clinically and radiographically healed within 8-10 weeks postoperatively, and there were no acute wound, neurologic, or vascular complications. One patient developed osteomyelitis of the iliac crest 6 months postoperatively.