Sacral Fractures: Classification and Neurologic Implications

Abstract

Sacral fractures can be classified, for diagnostic purposes, into three categories: 1) the sacral fracture which occurs in conjunction with a pelvic fracture, 2) the isolated sacral fracture of the lower segments; and 3) the isolated sacral fracture of the upper segments. The frequency of each type of fracture decreases from (1) to (3), but the neurologic implications increase. However, treatment for the three types should be conservative, since neurologic deficit at this level tends to improve spontaneously.