Certain accidents and events can cause extensive trauma to the body. A broken tailbone is one of the numerous types of injuries you could experience.
Damage to the tailbone is less common, so you may be unaware of your injury. Therefore, it’s helpful to know what signs and symptoms to look out for to get prompt medical treatment.
What Is the Tailbone?
The tailbone, or the coccyx, is the very last bone on the spine. The tailbone is an important part of the pelvis that is essential to everyday activities like standing and walking.
Tailbone injuries commonly involve bruising or a ligament pull in the area, but they could also include fractures or breaks.
Common Causes of Tailbone Trauma
Because of the location of the tailbone, it is prone to injury under certain circumstances.
Some of the common causes of tailbone trauma include:
- A fall onto the tailbone when it is exposed in a seated position
- A direct blow to the area from an accidental collision or intentional action like an assault
- Repetitive straining or friction to the area
Sometimes, the cause of a tailbone injury is unknown until it is examined and formally diagnosed by a medical professional.
Signs That Your Tailbone May Be Broken
A tailbone injury may not be evident right away, depending on the cause.
Some of the common signs and symptoms that could indicate an injury to the tailbone include:
- Swelling or tenderness around the tailbone area
- Constant pain in the low back, right above the buttocks
- Pain that worsens when you sit or when you stand up from sitting
- Pain when sitting for prolonged periods
- Intensified pain during bowel movements
- Irregular or painful bowel movements
- A visible bruise in the tailbone area
- Numbness or tingling that goes down one or both legs
Typically, injury to the tailbone will be evident in some way, as it causes substantial discomfort.
Diagnosing a Tailbone Injury
Diagnosing a tailbone injury, including a broken tailbone, usually begins with the doctor taking your medical history and discussing possible causes. Then, a thorough physical exam of the area is necessary.
Additionally, your doctor may order medical testing, including X-rays or an MRI, to get a good look at the area and provide a formal diagnosis.
How To Treat a Broken Tailbone
The location of the tailbone makes it difficult for doctors to treat it like they would any other fractured or broken bone. Thankfully, there are other ways to treat it and heal from an injury.
Usually, treatment for a broken tailbone involves pain management and techniques to reduce the pain. This could include:
- Hot and Cold Therapy: Alternating between hot and cold can help improve inflammation and pain in the area
- Anti-Inflammatory Medication: Medication aimed at treating inflammation and pain can help ease discomfort
- Specially Designed Cushions: Sitting is usually unavoidable, so special cushions are available with a hole in the middle to avoid pressure on the tailbone
Your doctor may also recommend additional methods to help ease pain and heal, including working from a standing desk rather than a desk that requires you to sit all day.
When the pain is severe enough, nerve blocks and steroids can help. Surgery for a broken tailbone is not common but could be a viable and necessary option if all other methods have failed.
Consult a New Port Richey Personal Injury Attorney For Help Recovering Compensation for a Broken Tailbone
If your broken tailbone is the result of another party’s negligent or intentional actions, you could have a legal case for compensation. An experienced personal injury lawyer can review the details of your situation and provide personalized guidance and advice.
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer in New Port Richey. We have convenient locations in Florida: St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - St. Petersburg Law Office
840 Beach Dr NE Suite 202
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - Safety Harbor Law Office
202 9th Ave S Suite A-2
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
(727) 787-2500
