Young and Burgess Classification 

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 5 min read
Patient Tools

Read, save, and share this guide

Use these quick tools to make this medical article easier to read, print, save, or share with a family member.

Patient Mode

Understand this article easily

Switch between simple English and easy Bangla patient notes. This is for education and does not replace a doctor consultation.

The Young and Burgess classification is a modified form of the earlier Tile classification for allowing judgment on pelvic stability. It is the recommended and most widely used classification system for pelvic ring fractures, and ligament injury. There are several types of fracture managing methods for...

For severe symptoms, danger signs, pregnancy, child illness, or sudden worsening, seek urgent medical care.

বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

The Young and Burgess classification is a modified form of the earlier Tile classification for allowing judgment on pelvic stability. It is the recommended and most widely used classification system for pelvic ring fractures, and ligament injury. There are several types of fracture managing methods for classifying, investigating the fracture pattern, severity, degree, location, type, angulation, shortening – lengthening, comminution, rotation, displacement, the status of the...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Young and Burgess classification of pelvic ring fractures in simple medical language.
Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.
Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.
Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

  • Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
  • New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
  • Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.
1

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

2

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

3

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

Before reading

RX Patient Tools

Use these quick guides before reading the article, or return to them when you need help preparing questions for a doctor.

Start here Choose the right pathway for symptoms, reports, medicines, or urgent warning signs. Disease article roadmap Read this topic step by step: meaning, symptoms, warning signs, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and follow-up. Treatment planner Prepare questions about treatment choices, benefits, risks, side effects, and follow-up. Family & caregiver guide Organize symptoms, reports, medicines, questions, and follow-up safely. Nutrition & diet guide Prepare food, hydration, supplement, and medicine-timing questions safely. Prevention guide Organize risk factors, protective habits, screening, and warning signs. Recovery guide Prepare a safe plan for activity, rehabilitation, warning signs, and follow-up.
Definition

The Young and Burgess classification is a modified form of the earlier Tile classification for allowing judgment on pelvic stability. It is the recommended and most widely used classification system for pelvic ring fractures, and ligament injury. There are several types of fracture managing methods for classifying, investigating the fracture pattern, severity, degree, location, type, angulation, shortening – lengthening, comminution, rotation, displacement, the status of the pelvic implant, the quality of surrounding pelvic soft tissue injury and fracture angle are universally and widely accepted by orthopedic surgeons to assess the initial injury, plan management, and predict prognosis, diagnosis to manage decision making, in determining whether a fracture requires an intramedullary nail or open reduction with internal fixation with steel screws, rods, plates, pins, or K-wires to hold the broken bones in the correct position even external fixation attaches a metal framework outside the limb and includes the Ilizarov method and an X-frame.

Young and Burgess classification of pelvic ring fractures

Classification

Anteroposterior compression (APC)

  • APC I: stable
    • pubic diastasis <2.5 cm
  • APC II: rotationally unstable, vertically stable
    • pubic diastasis >2.5 cm
    • disruption and diastasis of the anterior part of the sacroiliac joint, with intact posterior sacroiliac joint ligaments
  • APC III: equates to a complete hemipelvis separation (but without vertical displacement); unstable
    • pubic diastasis >2.5 cm
    • disruption-diastasis of both anterior and posterior sacroiliac joint ligaments with dislocation

Lateral compression (LC)

Most common type.

  • LC I: stable
    • oblique fracture of pubic rami
    • ipsilateral anterior compression fracture of the sacral ala
  • LC II: rotationally unstable, vertically stable​
    • fracture of pubic rami
    • posterior fracture with dislocation of the ipsilateral iliac wing (crescent fracture)
  • LC III: unstable
    • ipsilateral lateral compression (LC)
    • contralateral anteroposterior compression (APC)

Vertical shear (VS)

Most severe and unstable type with a high association of visceral injuries.

  • vertical displacement of hemipelvis, pubic and sacroiliac joint fractures

Combined

Stability depends on the individual components of this injury.

  • complex fracture, including a combination of anteroposterior compression (APC), lateral compression (LC), and/or vertical shear (VS)

Young and Burgess Classification 

Tile classification

Tile classification
A: Stable
 
A1: fracture not involving the ring (avulsion or iliac wing fracture)
A2: stable or minimally displaced fracture of the ring
A3: transverse sacral fracture (Denis zone III sacral fracture)
B: Rotationally unstable, vertically stable
B1: open-book injury (external rotation)
B2: lateral compression injury (internal rotation)
     
B2-1: with anterior ring rotation/displacement through ipsilateral rami
B2-2-with anterior ring rotation/displacement through contralateral rami (bucket-handle injury)
B3: bilateral
C: Rotationally and vertically unstable
C1: unilateral
C1-1: iliac fracture
C1-2: sacroiliac fracture-dislocation
C1-3: sacral fracture
C2: bilateral with one side type B and one side type C
C3: bilateral with both sides type C

Young-Burgess Classification

Anterior Posterior Compression (APC)
APC I
Symphysis widening < 2.5 cm
APC II   

Symphysis widening > 2.5 cm. 

Anterior SI joint diastasis.
Posterior SI ligaments are intact.
Disruption of sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments
APC III

Disruption of anterior and posterior SI ligaments (SI dislocation). 

Disruption of sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments.
APCIII associated with vascular injury
Lateral Compression (LC)
LC I
Oblique or transverse ramus fracture and ipsilateral anterior sacral ala compression fracture
LC II    
Rami fracture and ipsilateral posterior ilium fracture-dislocation (crescent fracture).
LC III   
Ipsilateral lateral compression and contralateral APC (windswept pelvis).
A common mechanism is rollover vehicle accident or pedestrian vs auto
Vertical Shear (VS)
Vertical shear
Posterior and superior directed force.
Associated with the highest risk of hypovolemic shock (63%); mortality rate up to 25%

Additional comments on the Young-Burgess classification:

  • APC fractures typically result from ‘head on’ collisions, LS fractures from ‘side on’ impacts, and VS fractures from falls from height or ‘head on’ motor vehicle crashes.
  • The Young-Burgess classification was originally thought to predict the extent of hemorrhage but this has not been supported by subsequent research. The ‘lesser’ fractures can still result in arterial hemorrhage in some cases.

References

Doctor visit helper

Prepare before seeing a doctor

A simple rural-patient checklist to help you explain symptoms clearly, ask better questions, and avoid unsafe self-treatment.

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
  • Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
  • Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
  • Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
  • How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
  • When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

  • Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
  • Basic physical examination by a clinician
  • CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
  • Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
  • Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

  • Rest, drink safe water, and observe symptoms carefully.
  • Keep a written note of symptoms, duration, temperature, medicines already taken, and allergy history.
  • Seek medical care quickly if symptoms are severe, worsening, or unusual for the patient.

OTC medicine safety

  • For mild pain or fever, ask a registered pharmacist or doctor before using common over-the-counter pain/fever medicines.
  • Do not combine multiple pain medicines without advice, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, stomach ulcer, asthma, pregnancy, or take blood thinners.
  • Do not give adult medicines to children unless a qualified clinician advises it.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Severe symptoms, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe dehydration, or sudden weakness need urgent medical care.
Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
  • Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Safe pathway to proper treatment

Care roadmap for: Young and Burgess Classification 

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

Add references, clinical guidelines, textbooks, journal articles, or trusted medical sources here. You can edit this area from the RX Article Professional Blocks panel.

More from this topic
  1. Zygomaticomaxillary Fractures

    DefinitionA zygomaticomaxillary fracture?—often called a ZMC fracture? or tripod/tetrapod fracture?—is a break of the cheekbone where the zygoma (cheekbone) meets the maxilla (upper jaw) and the...

    August 31, 2025 • Rx Fracture of Bone (A - Z)
  2. Orbital Roof Fractures

    DefinitionThe orbital roof is the bony “ceiling” of the eye socket. It is made mainly by the frontal bone. It separates the eye from the front...

    August 19, 2025 • Rx Fracture of Bone (A - Z)
  3. Orbital Medial Wall Fractures 

    DefinitionAn orbital medial wall fracture? is a break in the thin bone on the inner side of the eye socket. The eye socket is the orbit....

    August 19, 2025 • Rx Fracture of Bone (A - Z)
  4. Orbital Floor Fractures 

    DefinitionAn orbital floor fracture? is a break in the thin bone that makes the “bottom” of the eye socket. Your eye sits in a bony cup...

    August 19, 2025 • Rx Fracture of Bone (A - Z)
  5. Cough-Induced Rib Fractures

    DefinitionA cough-induced rib fracture? happens when repeated, forceful coughing (or one severe cough) places very high stress on the rib cage. The muscles between the ribs...

    August 15, 2025 • Rx Fracture of Bone (A - Z)
  6. Naso-orbitoethmoid (NOE) Complex Fracture

    DefinitionA naso-orbitoethmoid (NOE) complex fracture? is a break of the thin bones in the middle of the face where the top of the nose meets the...

    August 14, 2025 • Rx Fracture of Bone (A - Z)
  7. LeFort Fractures

    DefinitionLeFort fractures are specific break patterns in the middle of the face (the “midface”). They were first mapped by a French surgeon, René Le Fort, who...

    August 11, 2025 • Rx Eye & Vision Care (A - Z)
  8. Vertical Root Fractures

    DefinitionVertical Root Fractures (VRF) are dental issues that can cause severe pain? and damage to your teeth. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need...

    December 31, 2023 • Rx Fracture of Bone (A - Z)
  9. Tooth Fracture

    DefinitionTooth fractures can be painful and worrying, but understanding them can help you take better care of your oral health. In this article, we’ll provide you...

    December 31, 2023 • Rx Fracture of Bone (A - Z)
  10. Fracture Blister

    DefinitionA fracture? blister? can happen when a bone breaks, and it’s important to understand what it is, what causes it, and how to deal with it....

    December 14, 2023 • Rx Fracture of Bone (A - Z)