Div 9Pelvis or hip injuries

Division 9—Pelvis or hip injuries

General comment for items 120 to 123 • The most serious injuries to the pelvis or hips can be as devastating as a leg amputation and will have similar ISVs • However, the appropriate ISV for other injuries to the pelvis or hips will generally be no higher than about 20.

Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 120 to 123 • Exceptionally severe specific sequelae will increase the level of ISV • The availability of remedies, for example, a total hip replacement is an important factor in assessing an ISV

Extreme pelvis or hip injury

•	An extensive pelvis fracture

•	An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 40%
•	An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injured person is not able to mobilise without a wheelchair and is relatively young.

Serious pelvis or hip injury

There will be substantial residual disability, for example, severe lack of bladder and bowel control, sexual dysfunction, or deformity making the use of 2 canes or crutches routine.

•	A fracture dislocation of the pelvis involving both ischial and pubic rami
•	Traumatic myositis ossificans with formation of ectopic bone around the hip
•	A fracture of the acetabulum leading to degenerative changes and leg instability requiring an osteotomy, with the likelihood of future hip replacement surgery

An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate for an injury causing whole person impairment for the injury of 20%.

Moderate pelvis or hip injury

•	A significant pelvis or hip injury, with no major permanent disability
•	A hip fracture requiring a hip replacement
•	A fracture of the sacrum extending into the sacro‑iliac joint causing ongoing significant symptoms and whole person impairment of at least 10%

An ISV for this item will be appropriate if there is a fracture requiring a hip replacement that is only partially successful, so that there is a clear risk of the need for revision surgery. An ISV in this range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 10%.

Minor pelvis or hip injury

•	An uncomplicated fracture of 1 or more of the bones of the pelvis or hip that does not require surgery or cause permanent impairment
•	Undisplaced coccygeal fractures
•	Undisplaced or healed pubic rami fractures
•	An injury to the coccyx requiring surgery, that is successful.

•	An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a soft tissue injury from which the injured person fully recovers
•	An ISV of not more than 7 will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 5%
•	An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the person has ongoing coccydynia and difficulties with sitting.