After you’ve had a fall or an accident, and your healthcare provider wants to know if you have a fractured or damaged pelvis, they’ll probably recommend you get a CT scan. That’s because a pelvic CT scan is an excellent tool for getting a good look at your pelvis and the surrounding areas of your body.
If your provider finds that you have a pelvic fracture, they’ll also use the results from your CT scan to create a treatment plan for your care, customized to your condition and your needs. Some healthcare providers may recommend an ultrasound before ordering a CT scan, depending on your condition.
We will walk you through what makes a CT scan good for diagnosing a fractured pelvis, as well as how to get ready, what to expect during your pelvic CT scan, and what happens after your scan. Let’s see how a CT scan can help diagnose your injured pelvis.
What makes a CT scan effective for diagnosing bone injuries?
A CT scan is great at diagnosing fractures because it provides highly detailed, cross-sectional images of your body. It can capture the intricate structures of bones in multiple planes, showing even small cracks or displacements that might be missed with other methods.
For a suspected pelvic fracture, this precision is essential. Pelvic bones are complex and have multiple components, so it’s important to get a complete, clear picture to identify the exact location and severity of any injury.
In addition to the bones, a CT scan also shows soft tissues around the fracture, helping your healthcare provider see if there is any additional damage to muscles, blood vessels, or organs in the pelvic region.
How does a CT scan create detailed images of the pelvic area?
During the scan, a machine takes multiple X-ray images from different angles around your body. This info is then processed by a computer to create a series of clear, cross-sectional pictures of the bones and tissues in your pelvis.
This level of detail helps your healthcare provider examine the area layer by layer, which is extremely helpful for identifying a pelvic fracture. The ability to zoom in on specific areas or rotate the images adds even more precision to the diagnosis process. This clarity and depth of imaging make a CT scan one of the most reliable tools for diagnosing pelvic fractures accurately.
Preparing for a CT scan if you have an injured pelvis
Getting ready for a CT scan is pretty easy, but there are a few important steps to ensure everything goes smoothly, and that you get accurate results. Follow these recommendations when it’s time to get ready for your pelvic CT appointment.
What should I do to get ready for a pelvic CT scan?
Be sure to follow the directions your healthcare provider gives you to prepare for your CT appointment. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing on the day of the scan, as you may be asked to change into a gown for your scan.
Let your provider know if you have any metal objects on or in your body, such as piercings, jewelry, or metal implants, as these can interfere with the accuracy of the CT scan, and may need to be removed before the scan begins.
If your provider recommends a scan with contrast, you may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the scan. Be sure to inform your provider and CT technologist if you have any allergies, especially to medications or iodine, since this could affect the type of contrast material your technologist uses.
Why did my healthcare provider order a pelvic CT with contrast? What is contrast?
Your healthcare provider may order a CT scan with contrast to get an even clearer picture of the structures in your pelvis. Contrast is a special dye that helps highlight certain areas of your body, making it easier to see details in the images. The dye is typically injected into your bloodstream right before the scan, and it enhances the visibility of blood vessels, soft tissues, and any areas of injury.
Contrast is often used when a healthcare provider needs more detailed information, especially if they’re concerned about soft tissue damage around the fracture or want to check for internal bleeding. Taking contrast is safe for most people, but if you have a known allergy to contrast, be sure to inform your provider beforehand so they can take precautions or explore other options.
What to expect during a pelvic CT scan
Pelvic CT scans are pretty quick and entirely painless, but if you have an injured pelvis, you might be concerned whether you’ll be comfortable during your scan. We’ll show you exactly what getting a CT scan of the pelvis is like.
What should I expect during my pelvic CT scan?
For your pelvic CT scan, you’ll be asked to lie down on a special table that slides into the scanning machine, which looks kind of like a big doughnut. The table will gently move you into the right position for the scan, and the CT machine will rotate around you, taking detailed images of your pelvis from different angles. The machine itself never touches you.
You’ll be able to speak with your CT technologist throughout the procedure, and they’ll be able to see you and hear you the whole time. If your provider orders a CT with contrast dye, you may receive an injection right before the scan begins to help highlight specific areas for better visibility. Your provider will let you know ahead of time if contrast is necessary.
How long does a pelvic CT scan take? Do I have to hold still the whole time?
A pelvic CT scan typically takes around 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your circumstances, and on whether or not contrast dye is used. Your technologist spends most of that time positioning your body for accurate imaging, and ensuring that the images are as clear as possible. The actual scanning process only takes a few minutes.
During the scan, it’s important to hold still, to avoid blurring the images. However, you won’t need to stay still for very long, and the technologist will guide you through each step. You may be asked to hold your breath briefly while certain images are captured, but this will only last for a few seconds at a time.
What can my CT technologist do to make sure I’m comfortable during a pelvic CT?
Your comfort is our priority throughout the entire scan. Your CT technologist will be there to explain each part of the process, and make adjustments to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible.
If you’re nervous or in pain due to your suspected pelvic injury, let your technologist know: they can offer support, like helping you find a position that minimizes discomfort. If you have any concerns during the scan, you can communicate with the technologist at any time.
After your pelvic CT
After a CT scan, it will take a little while for your radiologist at our imaging center to analyze your results, and to send them to your healthcare provider’s office. Let’s see what you can expect after your pelvic is finished, and how to get your results.
How do I find out my CT results? How long will my results take?
Once your pelvic CT scan is complete, a subspecialized radiologist will review the images to assess whether you have a fracture or another condition. Within a week or so after your scan, your provider’s office will contact you with the results. If you have any questions while you wait, be sure to contact your healthcare provider.
What are the potential side effects of a CT scan with contrast?
If your pelvic CT scan involves contrast dye, you may experience some minor side effects, including a warm sensation or a metallic taste in your mouth during the injection, both of which usually fade quickly.
In rare cases, people may have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye, which can cause itching, hives, or more serious symptoms. If you experience any unusual symptoms after your scan (like difficulty breathing, swelling, or a rash), seek immediate medical attention.
If my results show a pelvic fracture, what are some questions I should ask my provider about my diagnosis and treatment?
If your results confirm a pelvic fracture, it’s important to have a conversation with your healthcare provider, to fully understand your diagnosis and the treatment options available. Here are a few important questions to ask:
- What type of pelvic fracture do I have? How severe is it?
- Will I need surgery, or can my fracture heal on its own with rest and physical therapy?
- Will I need pain management? What are the best options for me?
- What should I expect in terms of recovery time? Will I need any follow-up scans?
- Are there any activities I should avoid while I’m healing? When can I safely resume normal activities?
Keep these questions for when it’s time for you to discuss your results with your healthcare provider. Asking questions like these will help you understand what’s ahead, and an open discussion about your condition can help your provider to create a treatment plan that’s tailored to fit your needs.
How to schedule your CT appointment with us
Touchstone Medical Imaging offers CT scans in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Montana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Reach out to us at Touchstone, and we’ll help you schedule an CT appointment at an imaging center near you, today.
We’re here to help you get the answers you need.
FAQs about CT Scans for Pelvis Fracture
Yes, a CT scan is highly effective at detecting pelvic fractures by providing detailed cross-sectional images of the bones.
A CT scan is preferred because it can capture detailed images of bones and soft tissues, making it easier to spot even small fractures.
Yes, it also shows soft tissues like muscles, blood vessels, and organs, which can help detect additional injuries.
You should wear loose-fitting clothing, remove any metal objects, and follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on getting ready.
A CT scan with contrast helps highlight soft tissues and blood vessels, providing a clearer picture if there are additional injuries or internal bleeding.
You will lie on a table that moves through a scanning machine while detailed images are taken of your pelvis.
The scan typically takes 10-30 minutes, and most of the time is spent ensuring that you get clear CT images.
Some people may experience a warm sensation or metallic taste, but serious side effects are rare, and usually involve allergic reactions to the contrast dye.