The CurvaFix® IM Implant
Revolutionary Treatment for Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis (FFP)
With the CurvaFix IM Implant, surgeons are able to offer a minimally invasive surgical treatment option to patients with fragility fractures of the pelvis and acetabulum intended to reduce pain and increase the likelihood of earlier mobility and a faster recovery.
What is a Fragility Fracture of the Pelvis?
With the increase in life expectancy, there has also been an increase in age-related medical conditions such as osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones and puts people at greater risk of fractures. A fragility fracture is often a symptom of osteoporosis.1 A Fragility Fracture of the Pelvis (FFP) occurs in the pelvic ring and/or acetabulum (hip socket) that is the result of an event that would otherwise be insufficient to fracture normal bone.
Common risk factors for FFP are similar to osteoporosis: women aged 65 and older, and men 75 and older. In women under 65 and men under 75, risk factors that increase the chance of a fragility fractures include: prior pelvic fracture, long-term glucocorticoid therapy, history of falls, family history, low body weight, smoking, and excess alcohol intake.1
Today, most patients receive non-surgical (conservative) care for FFP, including bed rest, pain medication, and mobility assistance.2 Often, patients experience worsening symptoms leading to lengthy hospitalizations,3,8-11,16,17 loss of independent mobility,5,15,16 high nursing home admittance,12-15 and high rate of mortality.3-7,13 Although not every patient who experiences FFP is a candidate for surgery, evidence suggests that more could benefit from surgical treatment than receive it today.
The good news: Care for patients with fragility fractures of the pelvis continues to advance with the CurvaFix IM Implant.
Fragility Fractures Can Occur in Various Parts of the Pelvis
The most common areas for fractures are in one or more of these locations:
- Wing of Ilium
- Superior Pubic Ramus
- Inferior Pubic Ramus
- Pubic Symphysis
- Sacrum
- Sacroiliac Joints
- Acetabulum
What Causes a Fragility Fracture of the Pelvis?
In many cases, fragility fractures of the pelvis occur as a result of a single low energy traumatic event, such as a fall from standing or sitting position. Fragility fractures can also happen in the absence of trauma, and rather the result of progressive microtraumas taking place overtime in very weak bone. Typically, these fractures are referred to as “insufficiency” fractures of the pelvis and often worsen over time.18
What are the Symptoms of a Fragility Fracture of the Pelvis?
Symptoms of a FFP depend on the severity of the fracture. Pelvic fracture symptoms can include:
- Pain in your groin, hip, abdomen and/or lower back
- More intense pain or difficulty when walking, standing, or moving your legs
- Numbness or tingling in your groin area or legs
- Difficulty urinating19
How is a Fragility Fracture of the Pelvis Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of FFP often occurs in the emergency room. Like many other orthopedic conditions, the diagnosis of FFP will begin with a medical history and physical examination. Imaging such as x-ray, CT, and/or MRI may also be performed to aid in the diagnosis of FFP. Below is a brief explanation of each type of image.
- X-rays: X-rays are the simplest and fastest way to look at the bones in the pelvis and determine if a fracture has occurred. In some cases, a plain x-ray does not reveal a fractured bone; however, if a fracture is still suspected additional imaging may be performed.
- CT (Computerized Tomography): A CT scan sends radiation through the body to create a computerized, 360-degree view of the body’s structures. A CT can spot subtle fractures in bones not seen on an x-ray, organs and blood vessels. This is often performed after an x-ray to give the treating doctor more information about a patient’s medical issue.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): An MRI uses a powerful magnet, not radiation like x-ray and CT, to produce a highly detailed picture of soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, cartilage, nerves, and blood vessels among other structures in the patient’s skeletal system. This type of image may be necessary early on in the diagnosis process of FFP, or during a later time point in a patient’s care.
Information sourced from medlineplus.gov
A New Solution for Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis
The CurvaFix IM Implant is the only implant available that is designed to follow the natural curvature of the pelvis, enabling strong fracture fixation for weak bones.
Through a minimally invasive surgery (MIS), the CurvaFix IM Implant can achieve strong, stable fracture fixation even in weakened bones—potentially overcoming many of the limitations of today’s conventional implants. To date, the CurvaFix IM Implant has been used to treat hundreds of patients, including many suffering from fragility fractures of the pelvis. The CurvaFix IM Implant is designed to provide:
- Strong, stable fracture fixation by holding the broken bones in place with a large implant that follows the curve of the pelvis.
- Minimally Invasive Surgical (MIS) procedure that may enable shorter surgical time, smaller incision, and less postoperative pain compared to invasive alternatives.
- Faster recovery, which increases the likelihood of early mobility and better outcomes.
Recent blogs
Reclaiming Mobility: JoAnn’s Journey to Recovery with Innovative Pelvic Fragility Fracture Treatment
Inserting a Curve into the Treatment of Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis (FFP)
Find a Surgeon
If you or a loved one is living with a fragility fracture of the pelvis, surgical treatment including the CurvaFix IM Implant may be an option. Talk with your doctor for more information or find a surgeon offering CurvaFix below.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence NICE: Clinical Guideline [CG146] – Osteoporosis: assessing the risk of fragility fracture. 2012
- Orthopedic News Network, Trauma Update April 2022.
- Van Dijk WA, Poeze M, van Helden SH, Brink PR, Verbruggen JP. Ten-year mortality among hospitalised patients with fractures of the pubic rami. Injury. 2010 Apr;41(4):411-4.
- Rommens PM, Hopf JC, Herteleer M, Devlieger B, Hofmann A, 5 Wagner D. Isolated Pubic Ramus Fractures Are Serious Adverse Events for Elderly Persons: An Observational Study on 138 Patients with Fragility Fractures of the Pelvis Type I (FFP Type I). J Clin Med. 2020 Aug 3;9(8):2498.
- Loggers SAI, Joosse P, Jan Ponsen K. Outcome of pubic rami fractures with or without concomitant involvement of the posterior ring in elderly patients. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2019 Dec;45(6):1021-1029.
- Andrich S, Haastert B, Neuhaus E, Neidert K, Arend W, Ohmann C, Grebe J, Vogt A, Jungbluth P, Thelen S, Windolf J, Icks A. Excess Mortality After Pelvic Fractures Among Older People. J Bone Miner Res. 2017 Sep;32(9):1789-1801.
- Höch A, Özkurtul O, Pieroh P, Josten C, Böhme J. Outcome and 2-Year Survival Rate in Elderly Patients With Lateral Compression Fractures of the Pelvis. Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2017 Mar;8(1):3-9.
- Rollmann T, Menger MD, Histing T. Pelvic ring fractures in the elderly now and then – a pelvic registry study. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2017 Jul;71:83-88.
- Soles GL, Ferguson TA. Fragility fractures of the pelvis. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2012 Sep;5(3):222-8.
- Hill RM, Robinson CM, Keating JF. Fractures of the pubic rami. Epidemiology and five-year survival. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2001 Nov;83(8):1141-4.
- Koval KJ, Aharonoff GB, Schwartz MC, Alpert S, Cohen G, McShinawy A, Zuckerman JD. Pubic rami fracture: a benign pelvic injury? J Orthop Trauma. 1997 Jan;11(1):7-9.
- Huang JY, Liao PL, Chan CH, Yeh CB. Risk of Mortality and Readmission among Patients with Pelvic Fracture and Urinary Tract Infection: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 3;18(9):4868.
- Mears SC, Berry DJ. Outcomes of displaced and nondisplaced pelvic and sacral fractures in elderly adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2011 Jul;59(7):1309-12.
- Marrinan S, Pearce MS, Jiang XY, Waters S, Shanshal Y. Admission for osteoporotic pelvic fractures and predictors of length of hospital stay, mortality and loss of independence. Age Ageing. 2015 Mar;44(2):258-61.
- Rommens PM, Hopf JC, Arand C, Handrich K, Boudissa M, Wagner D. Prospective assessment of key factors influencing treatment strategy and outcome of fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP). Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2022 Aug;48(4):3243-3256.
- Taillandier J, Langue F, Alemanni M, Taillandier-Heriche E. Mortality and functional outcomes of pelvic insufficiency fractures in older patients. Joint Bone Spine. 2003 Aug;70(4):287-9.
- Morris RO, Sonibare A, Green DJ, Masud T. Closed pelvic fractures: characteristics and outcomes in older patients admitted to medical and geriatric wards. Postgrad Med J. 2000 Oct;76(900):646-50.
- Rommens PM et al. Injury. 2019 Nov;50(11):1966-1973.
- “Pelvic Fractures.” Cleveland Clinic, 8 December 2021, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22176-pelvic-fractures
DISCLAIMER: The statements and information herein are provided for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. The CurvaFix IM Implant is a prescription only device intended for fixation of fractures of the pelvis. Medical professionals must exercise their independent judgment to diagnose and treat each patient’s condition. Not all patients may be candidates for the CurvaFix IM Implant and individual results may vary. Please consult with your physician or healthcare provider regarding the CurvaFix IM Implant.