The tailbone, or coccyx, can be broken in a variety of ways. When you fall on your tailbone and break it, there is extreme pain and other symptoms that go along with it. Unlike when you break other bones, the tailbone cannot be put in a cast and recovery depends on making some changes so that you can promote healing.
Identification
A hard fall and pain does not necessarily mean that you have broken your tailbone. After examination, a doctor can request an X-ray or an MRI to determine if your tailbone is broken or just bruised.
Common Symptoms
Pain while sitting and lifting your legs are symptoms of a broken tailbone. Pain while walking up or down stairs, and pain when touching around the tailbone area, are also signs of a broken tailbone.
Causes
A fall can break your tailbone. Sometimes a woman can break her tailbone during the process of giving birth.
Treatment
Anti-inflammatory medication can help with swelling and a pain medication can relieve the pain. A doctor will advise you to rest and use ice on the area. Prolonged sitting can aggravate the condition, and the use of a donut pillow or soft pillow can help take direct pressure off the tailbone area.
Further Treatments
A corticosteroid injection can be given for pain that persists. In some people this can relieve the pain for weeks or months.
Precautions While Healing
Bowel movements can be painful, and avoiding constipation will help further pain while healing. Some women will have pain during intercourse while the tailbone is healing.
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