[1] This includes any break of the sacrum, hip bones (ischium, pubis, ilium), or tailbone.

[1] Complications are likely to result in cases of excess blood loss or puncture to certain organs, possibly leading to shock.

[6] Pain in the affected areas may differ where severity of impact increases its likelihood and may radiate if symptoms are aggravated when one moves around.

[1] The bony pelvis consists of the ilium (i.e., iliac wings), ischium, and pubis, which form an anatomic ring with the sacrum.

[7] The pubic bone, the ischium and the ilium make up the pelvic girdle, fused together as one unit.

They attach to both sides of the spine and circle around to create a ring and sockets to place hip joints.

Attachment to the spine is important to direct force into the trunk from the legs as movement occurs, extending to one's back.

Pelvic fractures are often associated with severe hemorrhage due to the extensive blood supply to the region.

Greater than 85 percent of bleeding due to pelvic fractures is venous or from the open surfaces of the bone.

Type B injuries are caused by either external or internal rotational forces resulting in partial disruption of the posterior sacroiliac complex.

Type C injuries are characterized by complete disruption of the posterior sacroiliac complex and are both rotationally and vertically unstable.

These injuries are the result of great force, usually from a motor vehicle crash, fall from a height or severe compression.

[citation needed] The Young-Burgess classification system is based on mechanism of injury: anteroposterior compression type I, II and III, lateral compression types I, II and III, and vertical shear,[5] or a combination of forces.

[11] Forces from an anterior or posterior direction, like head-on car accidents, usually cause external rotation of the hemipelvis, an “open-book” injury.

Open fractures have an increased risk of infection and hemorrhaging from vessel injury, leading to higher mortality.

[citation needed] A pelvic fracture is often complicated and treatment can be a long and painful process.

[20] In the United States of America, about 10 percent of people that seek treatment at a level 1 trauma center after a blunt force injury have a pelvic fracture.