How Do You Know When You Broke Your Tailbone

Overview

The coccyx, located below the sacrum, can exist severely damaged in a fall

What is tailbone pain (coccydynia)?

Tailbone hurting, called "coccydynia," is pain in and around the small-scale triangular os at the very bottom of your spinal column, above the cleft of your buttocks.

The term "coccyx" comes from the Greek word for "cuckoo" every bit it resembles a bird'southward beak with the tip pointed downwardly. "Dynia" means "pain," and so "coccydynia" literally means "pain of the coccyx." And because the bone corresponds to the location of an fauna's tail, information technology'due south chosen the "tailbone."

What is the tailbone/coccyx?

Your coccyx is fabricated up of iii to 5 fused vertebrae (bones). It lies beneath the sacrum, a bone structure at the base of your spine. Several tendons, muscles and ligaments connect to it. Both the coccyx and the ischial tuberosities (2 bones that brand up the lesser of your pelvis) bear your weight when you sit down. Ii-thirds of adults have a coccyx that curves a bit instead of pointing straight down, but 1 that is curved likewise far is aberrant and, therefore, painful.

Why does my tailbone hurt?

Tailbone hurting ranges from a tiresome ache to a fierce stab. It can last for weeks, months or sometimes longer. At that place are three types of events that crusade tailbone hurting:

• External Trauma: A bruised, broken or confused coccyx caused by a fall.
• Internal Trauma: Trauma caused by a difficult childbirth or from sitting on a narrow or hard surface for also long.
• Others: Infection, abscess and tumors.

Interestingly, for one-third of those with coccydynia, the cause is unknown.

Is tailbone pain (coccydynia) permanent?

No. Tailbone pain is rarely lifelong.

How common is tailbone hurting (coccydynia)?

Tailbone hurting is common.

Women are five times more likely than men to develop coccydynia. Adults and adolescents get it more often than children. Obese persons are three times more than susceptible than those at the platonic weight according to the BMI (Trunk Mass Index) calibration. Y'all're also more vulnerable if you lose weight too quickly.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes tailbone pain (coccydynia)?

Falling

Who hasn't fallen backwards onto their behind? Maybe your feet slipped out from nether you lot on the water ice. Maybe you lot vicious off a ladder. Or, maybe you were leaning too far back in your office chair and took a tumble. If you take a really bad fall yous tin bruise, break (fracture) or dislocate (knock out of identify) your tailbone (coccyx).

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Sports similar bicycling and rowing require you to lean back and along and stretch your spine. Too much of that repeated motion can strain the tissues around your coccyx.

Pregnancy/Childbirth

During the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, a woman's body secretes hormones that soften the area betwixt the sacrum and the coccyx. This enables the coccyx to move as necessary during childbirth. This is a natural process simply, unfortunately, such move may stretch the muscles and ligaments around the coccyx too far, causing additional pain. Such a strain on those soft tissues keeps them from supporting your coccyx at the correct angle.

Obesity

Extra weight applies boosted pressure to the coccyx. This can cause the coccyx to lean backward. Your tailbone will injure if information technology is out of position.

Underweight

If yous don't accept enough fat in your buttocks to prevent your coccyx from rubbing against the muscles, ligaments and tendons, that can cause. The rubbing inflames the soft tissues.

Sitting

Just this elementary act can increment coccyx pain, peculiarly if you're sitting on a hard or narrow surface. Exercise your best to get up ofttimes, stretch and take a brusque walk. Meliorate yet, notice yourself a softer, more than comfortable identify to sit down or use a cushioned seat.

Cancer

Only in rare cases is tailbone pain a sign of cancer. It is extremely unlikely.

What are the symptoms of tailbone hurting (coccydynia)?

• The symptoms of coccydynia include:
• Achy or piercing pain in the tailbone.
• More astringent pain when changing from sitting to continuing upwardly.
• More severe pain when sitting for long periods of time.
• Hurting during bowel movements.
• Pain during sexual practice.

Other related symptoms that may occur with coccydynia include:

• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Poor slumber.
• Painful buttocks.
• Dorsum pain.

Is tailbone pain (coccydynia) a sign of pregnancy?

Equally the fetus grows, its weight does put pressure on your pelvic infinite, causing pain in that general area.

Can tailbone pain (coccydynia) crusade rectal pain?

Yes, chronic coccydynia is 1 of the causes of rectal pain.

Does menstruation cause tailbone hurting (coccydynia)?

Tailbone pain is typically worse when a woman is menstruating.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is coccydynia (tailbone pain) diagnosed?

First, after getting your general medical history, your healthcare provider volition ask you lot about whatsoever contempo traumas including a fall or childbirth. Adjacent he/she will exercise a visual examination of the expanse checking for an obvious fracture, deformity, mass or an abscess (infection).

What tests are used to diagnose tailbone pain (coccydynia)?

To cheque for a fracture:

• X-ray.
• CT scan.

To check for inflammation and chordoma (a rare type of cancerous tumor of the spine):

• MRI.
• Bone browse.

Management and Treatment

How is coccydynia (tailbone pain) treated?

Most people recover without undergoing any sort of treatment. Of those who exercise require handling, 90% merely demand to use at-home remedies.

At-dwelling remedies for tailbone pain (coccydynia) include:

• Taking a NSAID similar ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling.
• Decreasing sitting fourth dimension. Lean forward if you have to sit.
• Taking a hot bath to relax muscles and ease hurting.
• Using a wedge-shaped gel cushion or coccygeal cushion (a "donut" pillow) when sitting.
• Taking stool softeners to reduce pain during bowel movements.
• Stretching and strengthening the muscles of your lower back and pelvis.
• Applying hot or cold packs to your lower back. Apply for no longer than 20 to xxx minutes, several times a twenty-four hour period.
• Wearing loose-fitting clothing.

Outpatient treatments for tailbone hurting (coccydynia) include:

• Blocking the nervus supply of the area — a Coccygeal nervus block — using numbing medications and steroids to decrease the inflammation.
• Massage therapy (usually only provides temporary relief).
• Stretching exercises and posture improvement guided by a concrete therapist.
• Acupuncture.
• TENS (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation).

Surgical options include:

• Partial coccygectomy (removal of part of the coccyx — extremely rare).
• Total coccygectomy (removal of the entire coccyx — extremely rare).

Recovery time from a coccygectomy can have a few months — mayhap a year. Unfortunately, there'southward no guarantee that the pain will get away even if the os is gone. Again, this procedure is rare.

Other symptoms that could occur along with coccydynia, such as low, feet and sciatica, should likewise be addressed and treated as well.

How is tailbone hurting (coccydynia) treated when a woman is pregnant?

When you are meaning, it'south normal to accept tailbone hurting. Pain comes from sitting for long periods of time, only can too occur when standing and walking. This is because the growing fetus is putting pressure on the os. Physical therapists recommend you lie on your side when yous sleep and sit on a coccyx cushion. Both volition help relieve some of the pain by taking pressure level off of your coccyx.

Does walking assistance tailbone pain (coccydynia)?

Yes. Continuing upwardly and walking around decreases pressure on your coccyx, reducing pain.

How should I sleep with tailbone hurting (coccydynia)?

Sitting, driving, bending and sleep are all affected by tailbone pain. In severe cases it tin vastly subtract your quality of life. Lie on your side to reduce tailbone pain.

Can a chiropractor aid with tailbone pain (coccydynia)?

Yes. A chiropractor tin can assistance correct the misalignment of a coccyx that leans too far forward or dorsum.

Prevention

How can I reduce my hazard of tailbone pain (coccydynia)?

You can reduce your take chances of tailbone pain by:

• Avoiding falling. Keep your floors and pathways free of loose objects, debris and cords. Make sure all stairs are well lit and include rails. Don't walk while looking at your cellphone.
• Avoiding activities that worsen symptoms such as cycling and sitting for long periods of fourth dimension.

Outlook / Prognosis

What can I expect if I have tailbone hurting (coccydynia)?

Dull hurting, difficult pain, stabbing pain, and whatever other corporeality and severity of pain in between. Your pain will be worse when you sit down and stand up, and also when you have a bowel movement and accept sexual intercourse.

How long will I have tailbone pain (coccydynia)?

Only a few days or weeks, typically. Less time if you use your at-dwelling house remedies.

When can I get dorsum to work/school?

Tailbone pain is uncomfortable just it shouldn't go on you lot from your daily activities. If it does, contact your healthcare provider and make an date right away.

What is the outlook for tailbone pain (coccydynia)?

Tailbone pain is not something you just have to live with. Follow the at-home remedy recommendations and check with your healthcare provider about outpatient options.

Living With

How do I take care of myself?

Don't sit for long periods of time without standing up, take a short walk or practise a couple quick stretches. If you love to ride your bike, cutting back for now. Prevarication on your side when you sleep. Spend more than time on your anxiety! Employ the at-home remedies and stay in contact with your healthcare provider.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Encounter your healthcare provider if your astringent tailbone pain does non improve within a few weeks. Also see him/her if your at-dwelling remedies don't work.

What questions should I enquire my doctor?

• What'southward the cause of my tailbone pain?
• How long practice you lot call back it volition accept for my pain to become away?
• What over-the-counter medications do you lot recommend?
• What type/brand of donut cushion exercise you recommend?
• Which at-home remedies do you recommend?
• Do y'all think I need surgery?
• What else can I do to decrease my pain?
• Is in that location a chiropractor you lot recommend?
• What other medical professionals could help with my tailbone pain?

A notation from Cleveland Clinic

Tailbone pain is uncomfortable but temporary. Go on vigilant. Have your medications as prescribed, apply your ice packs, have hot baths, get a donut (the cushion and, well, you might as well get the chocolate glazed one likewise) and spend more than fourth dimension on your feet and keep those feet moving. Don't let your coccydynia get unbearable before you contact your healthcare provider!

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Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10436-coccydynia-tailbone-pain