Tailbone(or coccyx) trauma is an injury to the small bone at the lower tip of the spine.It is usually injured in a fall onto a hard surface, such as ice or stairs. The pain usually is due to bruising of the bone or stretching of the ligaments. Tailbone injuries can be diagnosed by finding tenderness of the bone located in the upper part of the groove between the buttocks.Actual fractures of the tailbone (coccyx) are infrequent. Tailbone trauma usually involves bruising of the bone or pulling of the ligaments.

Fractures (breaks) of the tailbone are rare and they heal fine, so an x-ray is unnecessary for this injury. Dislocations of the tailbone are also rare but they need to be put back in place by a doctor.Backward falls onto a hard surface, such as a slippery floor or ice, are the most common cause of this injury.

Symptoms might experience for tailbone trauma:

*Pain experienced with sitting or pressure on the tailbone
*Bruising on the lower portion of the spine

A fractured tailbone can be extremely painful, and usually takes about four to six weeks to heal. To help minimize pain and stay comfortable while the injury is healing,experts suggesting following tips:

*Use a doughnut cushion when seated.Sitting on a large rubber ring or a cushion placed forward on the chair will take pressure off the tailbone.

*Apply an ice pack to the injury for about 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.

*Talk to your doctor about pain-relieving medications.Bruised tailbone will usually hurt for 3 to 4 weeks. Give your child ibuprofen (Advil) for 2 or 3 days. Ibuprofen usually gives more relief for muscle and bone pain than acetaminophen (Tylenol).

*Moving your bowels can be very painful, especially if you're constipated. Try to prevent constipation by drinking lots of fluids and eating plenty of fiber.Occasionally bowel movements will cause enough discomfort so that 1 or 2 tablespoons of mineral oil will temporarily be needed twice a day.

*A heating pad may also help

*If you suspect injury to the neck or spine, do not attempt to move the patient.
*Do not attempt to move the patient if there you think there may be injury to the spinal cord

*Do not run on slippery surfaces, such as around a swimming pool.
*Dress in shoes with good tread or slip-resistant soles, especially in snow or on ice

"Prevention / tips / healing of tailbone / coccyx injury(fracture / trauma)"   User Opinions

rookie79 :   I wiped out on some really hard packed snow when snowboarding about 2 1/2 weeks ago. The first week was awful. . .the day of, I took 4 650mg acetominophen tabs, and slept on my stomach with a bag of ice down my pants. I took 3 tabs three times e a day for the first week, and tapered off to 2 tabs and then 1 tab every 6 hours. Meanwhile I bought one of those inflatable rubber donut cushions for my chair at work, which just made my butt even more sore, but did allow me to lean back a little in my seat. This week (week 3), the pain isn't nearly as bad, and I'm able to sit without the cushion and roll out of bed without shooting pains up my backside. I can take stairs and even walk kind of at my normal pace without really feeling it, but I'm still taking Excedrin Back & Body - one every 5 hours or so. . .and trying to stretch as much as possible because I read that the ligaments around your coccyx can scar up and limit your mobility. My butt basically feels sore now only when I...

matt :   I was sitting in my kitchen and eating and i got up to change the t.v. and set back down without looking and the chair was a few inches behind. I fell directly on the tile floor. This pain has been going on for a few months and hasn't gone away. Im a bit concerned but relieved from what ive read as it is not very serious. What has anyone else down to heal it?

julie :   I had physical therapy after child bearing to relieve this pain. It only temporarily heal but the pain comes back. My suggestion is lifestyle changes which i try not to sit too long, work out as much as possible (seems like tennis and swimming helps me) and work on posture. Ocassional acupuncture to assist with the blood flow. My doctor said the same as yours. So i took it upon myself for a different approach

B.M.RUDRA MUNI :   I am having the tail bone pain. I was not knowing how it is started. I never fell and suffring pains since 8 months. I am using Dounut seats for sitting. I am waiting for healing. I have cosultaed many doctors but result is only time spending that meens it will heal on its own and it will take more time. Cosulted auyrvedic,homeopathy. They are giving some precation medicns to develop the ligaments and spams. I am requestin to my friends any healed persons. please tell me how it will heal and when ,what is the time durations for this. I am very frustrated because My age is 39 years I have to work lot and travel lot. please guide me and suggest. Regards. B.M. RUDRA MUNI rudramuni9@hotmail.com

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