Gender Bias in Pelvic Fractures: A Geometrical and Structural Assessment

Abstract

Pelvic fractures are complex, devastating fractures in musculoskeletal trauma that account for approximately 3% of all skeletal injuries, and unfortunately, still constitute a major cause of death and disability [1, 2]. Approximately 64% of all pelvic fractures are due to motor vehicle crashes (MVC). Rowe et al. (2004) identified female gender as a significant risk factor for pelvic ring fractures resulting from MVC. Women are three times more likely than males to have a pelvic fracture due to MVC [3, 4, 5]. Body mass index (BMI) and height differences have not been recognized as risk factors and it is presumed that a possible cause of increased fracture susceptibility in women could be the geometric differences between female and male pelvises [3]. Furthermore, according to Army Medical Research, female recruits have a higher incidence of pelvis (pubis) fractures due to overuse injuries than their male counterparts [3–7].