Pelvic Fractures and the Application of Pelvic Binders in Athletic Training

Abstract

Context With the rise of athletic trainers (ATs) providing care to more nontraditional sports such as skiing, motor sports, rodeo, and X Games, the potential for dealing with traumatic pelvic injuries has increased from the traditional setting. The prehospital care provided by the AT can greatly reduce the potential complications seen in these patients. Application of a pelvic binder should be integrated into the athletic training education curriculum. Objective To provide the presentation of traumatic pelvic fractures, various types of pelvic binders available in the prehospital setting, and integration and teaching of this skill to professional level athletic training students. Description Students should be able to recognize and assess traumatic pelvic injuries. Proper treatment of these injuries is presented with a step-by-step process of how to manage these injuries in the prehospital setting. Equipment needs and how to teach this within the athletic training setting are discussed. Clinical Advantage(s) Integrating the application of the pelvic binder into current athletic training curricula helps provide ATs another tool to use in helping to prevent blood loss, shock, or death in patients with a possible traumatic pelvic fracture. Conclusion(s) Traumatic pelvic fractures are an important critical injury that must be assessed and addressed promptly to avoid hemorrhage and other sequela.