Vertical shear fractures are a subgroup of pelvic fractures.

Pelvic fractures are related to pelvic trauma with a risk of grave hemorrhage. If they are suspected, proper physical examination and radiographic studies are extremely important.

Malgaigne fractures were classically defined as the combination of a longitudinal fracture through the sacrum and the ipsilateral superior and inferior pubic rami. The classic definition has been extended to account for other patterns of fractures that will also cause instability of a hemipelvis.

The hemipelvis instability can be caused by a combination of vertical disruption through the anterior and posterior aspects of the pelvis:

• anterior: superior and inferior pubic rami, or pubic symphysis and

• posterior: sacroiliac joint, ilium, or sacrum

These fractures have a high association with urethral trauma. In the present case, a urethral injury was later diagnosed.