Pelvic (Sacral) Stress Fracture
Persistent pain in your lower back, buttock or pelvis, particularly if it worsens with activity, could be a sign of a pelvic or sacral stress fracture.
Specialist expertise
Our experienced consultants diagnose and treat a wide range of pelvic, hip and sports-related injuries using evidence-based care.
Sports medicine experience
We regularly support everyone from recreational exercisers to elite athletes recovering from stress injuries and overuse conditions.
Flexible access to care
Whether you're self-funding, using private medical insurance or have a referral, we'll help you access specialist care as quickly as possible.
What is a pelvic (sacral) stress fracture?
A pelvic (sacral) stress fracture is a small crack in one of the bones of the pelvis caused by repeated stress rather than a single injury. Most commonly, it affects the sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of the spine that forms the back of the pelvis. Less commonly, stress fractures can affect other parts of the pelvic ring. These injuries usually develop when repetitive loading places more stress on the bone than it can repair. They are most often seen in runners, dancers and other athletes who participate in high-impact sports. They can also occur after pregnancy if weight-bearing exercise is resumed before the body has fully recovered and core strength has returned. Because the symptoms often develop gradually and can mimic other conditions affecting the lower back, hip or pelvis, it's important to have ongoing pain assessed by a specialist.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms usually develop gradually and may include:
- Pain in the lower back, buttock or pelvis
- Pain that may spread into the hip or groin
- Pain that becomes worse during walking, running or exercise
- Pain that may continue at rest as the injury progresses
- Tenderness over the pelvis
- Stiffness or discomfort with movement
- Difficulty exercising or participating in sport
- Reduced mobility because of pain
How is it diagnosed?
Your consultant will begin by discussing your symptoms, activity levels and any recent changes to your exercise routine. They'll examine your pelvis, lower back and hips to identify the source of your pain and assess how the injury is affecting your movement.
To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, we may recommend:
- A detailed medical history
- Physical examination
- Assessment of your walking pattern and movement
- X-rays, although early stress fractures may not always be visible
- MRI scan, which is often the most sensitive test for detecting a stress fracture
- CT scan or bone scan where further assessment is needed
How is it treated?
Your treatment will depend on the location and severity of the fracture, your symptoms and your activity goals. Most pelvic stress fractures heal successfully without surgery.
Treatment may include:
- Temporarily reducing or avoiding activities that trigger pain
- Pain relief where appropriate
- Ice to help manage discomfort during the early stages
- A personalised physiotherapy and rehabilitation programme
- Gradually returning to walking, exercise and sport as the bone heals
- Advice on training, biomechanics and reducing the risk of future stress injuries
Surgery is rarely required and is usually only considered in exceptional circumstances, such as fractures that fail to heal or are associated with instability.
Treatment routes for pelvic (sacral) stress fracture
Most pelvic stress fractures can be managed successfully without surgery. Initially, treatment focuses on allowing the bone to heal by reducing activities that place stress on the pelvis while managing pain. As your symptoms improve, your physiotherapist will guide you through a personalised rehabilitation programme to restore strength, movement and confidence before gradually returning to your normal activities.
Recovery goals for pelvic (sacral) stress fracture
During the first stage of recovery, the focus is on:
Reducing pain Protecting the healing bone Modifying activities to avoid further stress Maintaining gentle movement where appropriate
As healing progresses, rehabilitation aims to:
Improve strength and stability Restore flexibility and movement Rebuild core and pelvic control Return to normal daily activities comfortably
The final stage of rehabilitation focuses on:
Gradually returning to exercise or sport Improving strength, balance and endurance Addressing training or movement factors that may have contributed to the injury Reducing the risk of future stress fractures
Working with Spine professionals and teams
Our spine specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their spines. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Spine treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Pelvic stress fracture FAQs
Most pelvic stress fractures heal within 6 to 12 weeks, although recovery can take longer depending on the severity of the injury and how quickly you can return to activity. Your consultant will guide you on when it is safe to increase your activity levels.
Many people are still able to walk, although it may be painful. Your consultant will advise how much weight-bearing is appropriate and whether you should temporarily reduce walking while the fracture heals.
Surgery is uncommon. Most sacral stress fractures heal with rest, activity modification and a structured rehabilitation programme.
No. Continuing to run on a stress fracture can delay healing and increase the risk of the fracture becoming more severe. Your consultant or physiotherapist will advise when it is safe to return to running.
Most sacral stress fractures heal naturally with appropriate rest and rehabilitation. Following your treatment plan and returning to activity gradually gives the bone the best opportunity to heal fully.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
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