Minimally invasive screw fixation versus conservative management for fragility fractures of the pelvis: A preliminary comparative analysis of clinical outcomes

Background/Purpose To compare outcomes of minimally invasive screw fixation (MIS) versus conservative management for fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP). Methods Sixty-five patients aged 70–95 years with FFP Type II-IV were retrospectively reviewed (30 MIS, 35 conservative). Functional status was assessed via Modified Functional Ambulatory Categories (MFAC). Rehabilitation duration was defined as postoperative length of stay (LOS) for the MIS group and total LOS for the conservative group. Results The conservative group was older ( P = 0.007), while MIS had more complex fractures ( P = 0.0254). Despite a 15.1-day surgical delay in MIS, rehabilitation duration was comparable (26.1 vs 27.6 days; P = 0.76). Mortality and MFAC decline showed no significant differences. No major complications occurred in the MIS group. Upon discharge, 78.6% (MIS) and 71.0% (conservative) of home-dwellers returned home. Conclusion MIS is a safe and effective option for unstable FFP. It achieved functional outcomes and rehabilitation efficiency comparable to conservative management despite higher fracture complexity and operative delays.