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Treatment for painful broken or bruised coccyx

I fell 3 days ago, landing on my tailbone.  The next day, the area was swollen... it is still swollen.
I was xray'd and advised that the coccyx was broken.  I was told to rest and take Tylenol 3 and Ibuprophen.  I was told not to use cool.cold compresses, but to have daily hot showers to alleviate the pain.

This has not been very effective. I am unable to work and in constant pain

I understand (from family members who have had a similar injury) that this injury can be very painful and that the pain can last a long time (years).

I would like to know what I can expect in regards to recovery time and if you can advise me of anything I can do to speed my recovery?  And what any additional treatments are if this continues to be a problem.

Thank you for your time and consideration
Janet

109 Responses
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Avatar universal
I have brown my tailbone twice in my life.  Once at 14 and again about 6 months ago.  Both from falling straight down into a seated position. This last time I went 9 days without going to the ER but the pain became so bad I couldn't handle it anymore. The Dr told me I broke it straight in half. Unfortunately even with pain medication the pain has been there since the first time.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I got bucked off my horse three days ago and bruised my tailbone pretty badly.  Landed right on me arse.  Went to the doc in a box and they did xrays and said the large bone wasn't broken, but the little triangle on the end was "too fuzzy to see" and after three xrays I opted to just accept the fact that it's bruised.  They told me they didn't do anything about it if it was broken anyway.  (They did try to schedule me for a CT scan, to which I declined......no point in spending the money.)

Anyway, I don't guess it's as bad as it could be, as the pain has lessened some since the injury.  (Later that same day, riding in a truck brought me to a crying fit.....and I've had 2 children naturally and passed 4 kidney stones without pain meds.)  But I do work a desk job full time and have an hour commute to and from work.  So far the driving and sitting are the worst.  Sleeping is getting better, and standing up from the car or a chair takes some time.  

I'm hoping the pain continues to lessen.  A dull ache for the rest of my life would be tolerable, but this is still sharp pains at certain angles.  
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17158815 tn?1454180184
OMG, yes, the sneezing! (While we're on bodily functions - don't try to stifle a fart; that's even more painful!)
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Avatar universal
my mother is having a coccyx fracture and it has been like a  month..The doctor has advised to to put hot water bag over it..but when i searched about this it is saying to apply ice pack..what is actually right to do please help me with it???
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Avatar universal
I fell as well, skateboarding, at thirty years of age. I know lol. It's been a month and still butthurt. It was a nasty fall. I noticed when I tried to get out of chair at work or at home it caused me pain. Butt if I closed my legs when getting up it was not as bad.
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Avatar universal
Hi there, I've been reading your responses about tailbone injury... I have a sort of similar problem and nothing seems to be making a difference. In February 2015, I went to sit down in my large easy chair which was missing some of the padding on the arm and had a couple of apolstry staples sticking out in that area. I misjudged how I was angled when sitting and wound up smashing my tailbone right into the unpadded staples with my entire 180lbs of weight right into the center of my tailbone! I have been to the doctor about 5 or 6 times now for this injury and have done everything from icing, to not putting pressure on it, to stool softeners, to pain medications which are quite strong! The pain is not getting any better still, and it's now the middle of November! I don't know what to do now, what to ask my doctors, or what to request as far as treatment. The pain is often times so overwhelming that it causes me to vomit and shake! Do you have any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions on what I which direction I should go in next?
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1 Comments
I bashed mine on a stone plant pot 13 months ago. I have been to a chiropractor, use a massager daily, use voltarol and cuprofen. Nowt is making it easier. I have also developed sciatica on the left side and a slipped disc on the right side - since my accident. Every day 1 of these 3 areas cause me pain. Fortunately not all 3!  I had an mri on my back just waiting for results... It appears from everyone elses story that we've just gotta wait it out. Bummer (no pun intended) I know... I'm gonna check out those wedge things. All the best, take care and good luck x
Avatar universal
I fractured my coccyx in May 2008, and am still in pain now - it seems to have become worse over the last 3-4 years.  I don;t like taking painkillers unless I really have to. My worse pain is in the morning trying to get out of bed - it seems to lock and the pain is unbearable.I really I need half hour to get out of bed but life doesn't allow that unfortunately.  I visit the gym and take all types of classes, including Pilates which is a short term fix as is a massage too, but the pain comes back soon after - definitely the next morning.  What's the next step?? Do I visit a chiropractor or a oesteopath? and how about rheumatism setting in? How do I sleep at night properly too? Help anyone with ideas.....thanks
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Avatar universal
I fell out of hammock onto tail bone and it took about 2 years to completely subside (pain would just come on occasion when sitting a certain way). Hadn't thought about it in 10 years until a week ago I went into a sexual position angled on the arm of a couch and too much pressure was given again to the coccyx and it has become very inflamed. Is a little painful :-( My point is, if there has been injury in the past, be exceptionally careful in the future!!
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10323717 tn?1409293880
I was racing a car on my rollerblades that was going about 20 mph and I  knew I was about to wipe out so I just landed by sitting down on the pavement Instead of landing on my face! ummm ok so as I slide very hard on the ground for roughly 30 ft. my cheeks well the skin was gone almost through the second layer, instantly it was so swollen bad. two days later where the ball use to be was a black circle where my tailbone was although it still kills and its been like 2 weeks I am experiencing other issues like sore skin and extreme hot flashes that in the moment I feel I could literally pass out! any suggestions for the all over the body pain/sensitivity I dnt have a rash or anything. my mom said something about my sciatica nerve or something idk..... any new fresh thoughts and ideas are welcome..... thank u so much














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Avatar universal
I fell on my back 4 yrs ago and had bruised my tailbone, and the pain lasted for about 6 weeks. i was on pain killers then and after few months i had no pain at all. I joined work, 7 months later, after my child birth and now the pain seems to have returned. I am unable to sit for long time and it increase when i have stand from my sitting position. I have to sit now with one leg folder so that it relives the pain for a while and i can continue with my work.
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Avatar universal
I am 5 months in, and am still in pretty sever pain. Going to see my dr again tomorrow because I feel like the pain has gotten worse in the last month.
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Avatar universal
I broke my tailbone in 2 places... suffered for a few years never knew what was going on. I tried everything. I finally was referred to a pain management. I am getting epidural injections in my tailbone. what a big reiief, it's awesome I am getting them about every 6 months... that's how long they last me.. everybody is different. but I can move sit anything and not be in pain. I have had them now over a year.. It's much better than takin pain meds.   I hope this helps... give it a shot.. no pun intended... take care and good luck.
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Avatar universal
I was walking out of the back dock, pulling a cart into a hallway when I tripped onto a straddle stacker. I fell and broke my tailbone.it hurts everyday. If  I take my napraxon it feels better. But when it wears off it hurts so bad I want to cry.
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6360049 tn?1380614961
hello

my my most sound funny here. I had a scooter accident hit n run this idiot was probably pissed(drunk) lol and bashed me off the road but i fell on my arse on the tarmac ach jee that hurts. I landed hard on my coccyx and was lucky it didnt break i dont suggest anyone to have surgery there as your spine needs that part which is at the end and beginning of you anus. so healing will take umpteen years dont become a dr¨g addict as thats another issue with substance addiction. Oh lord. so please fill a warm or lekker(dutch for nice) hot bath use bath salts ylang ylang preferbly im serious its healing even for foot baths. however you have to have a bath and ly in it everyday. yep ja ja everyday. start your day with a salt bath and  end meaning going into dreamland with one. Guaranteed lekker no pain for a while.
Also the dougnut cushion or coccyx wedge should help. otherwise u are gonna be in pain always theres no cure once your spine cord is damaged for eg there so low it isnt like a herniated disc where your vertebraes disc be it cervical, lumbal or thoracal protudes onto the nerves causing pain your vertebrae can be fused or operated to relieve pain with titanium screws and plates. So no one mentioned pain when pooping if that and sneezing hurts then you have the worst case. Chiropractors and pysiotherapists are nutcases wanting to eat your dukus. just be careful they make it worse. do you have nerve or deep lying pain do not go near them. How on earth can the cure your spinal cord injury? rub rub ahaaha no they will hurt you more though it will seem its better at first as they usecreams that numb your muscles and skin. so go take a lekker lng hot salt bath theres no cure forget it and dont get hooked on drugs please. AND STP WINING GET OVER IT MOVE ON. DONT SIT THERE AND DO NOTHING AND SAY OUCH OUCH YOU WILL BECOME THE COUCH. I EVEN HAVE SEX WITH THIS INJURY SO CMON YOU CAN TOO. bye hugs xx MIA
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Avatar universal
Hi All...I don't know if this will be helpful to anyone.  I broke my tailbone when I was 9 years old  (during gym).  At the time,  my parents were told there wasn't much that could be done but it was very painful and especially, hard at night, when I was trying to sleep and so I would sleep on a book.  I would put it right under the bone and it would seem to alleviate the pain.  Eventually, it healed and over the years ( I'm now 47 yrs old),  I would have one of my siblings step on my back till it would crack (that particular area).  I have some pain from time to time...very mild though,  and will take tylenol to help me when the weather is bad but it's very manageable.  Best of luck to everyone.  
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Avatar universal
I was at ER last night they xrayed and mine is only cracked not broken but they gave me 2 shots for pain I was in such bad pain it gave me a terrible headache and ran my blood pressure way up and its always perfect. they told me to rotate heat and ice unless I found that 1 helped more but to leave it on 15-20 minutes take a break and reapply after about 30 minutes they said to try and sleep on my side and I have never been able to sleep any way other than on my stomach even during pregnancy so he said to set in my recliner with a pillow or other cushion under my hips recline and put a pillow under my knees and its the most comfortable position I have found but I do have pain meds and believe anyone going through this pain needs them unless they are just totally against or for religion or other reasons. You can truly say this is a pain in the Butt..They told me 2 weeks I should have improvement to get back to doing some things but they did also say the pain could last for years or even for the rest of my life..Hope everyone feels better soon
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Avatar universal
I Had a bad fall off a horse, landing flat on my back..... I have a bruised or slightly fractured coccyx ... Thē thing I do is sit on the sofa with a hot water bottle and keep it ther ! My coccyx feels numb when in bed but when I get up its throbbing pain
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Avatar universal
Has you tailbone heal completely now. I hit mine 6 months ago and it still aches after sitting. This can last for hours.
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Avatar universal
I have been in constant pain with my coccyx since September 2010. I can't sit comfortably on anything - none of the coccyx cushions have helped me.
I can manage the pain by NEVER sitting down - unless it is absolutely essential - like sitting in a car - then I sit on an inflated swim-tyre. (I have tried lots of different sizes - and only certain ones help (24'')).  I generally fidget and keep trying to adjust my weight to stop the discomfort!! (I weigh 9 stone).
At home I stand, walk, lay down, crouch down or kneel. It makes life very difficult - and I don't like going out, or visiting people as I find my inability to sit on a seat makes me feel very self-conscious!
I was referred to physiotherapy originally - but they said it was notoriously difficult to treat - to try and bear the pain and hope it reduces - as the coccyx removal operation is really a last resort - and only has 50-50 success rate (and many are even worse afterwards!!)
Today I am on painkillers, lying on my front to type - wishing the pain would just go away so I could be 'normal' again.
It is good to read of others who understand - though I wish we could all be cured from this horrible pain.
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4931097 tn?1380544896
i was riding my horse the other day and he decided to buck through an electric fence and get his legs caught he then bucked all the way down the track until we got to the yard which is concrete but covered in grass, i lost my balance and after another few bucks i came off but ending up going up and coming down backwards in a v shape so it was my tail bone that copped it first, my first thought was that i had broken my back couldn't move, i stayed there for about 10 minutes then got helped up and sat for a while, the bottom of my back is very swollen and bruised i cant get comfy at any time, i am also having headaches everyday mostly if i move and it hurts my back pain shoots from my head,, im stuck whether to go for x rays or just wait it out, as i want to be able to get back riding asap, the accident happened 3 days ago and is getting worse
thanks
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Avatar universal
Seattlepain.... That is .So true, I had a sideways crash on an ice patch whilst snowboarding, it's been one week now and it still hurts , especially when I sneeze! A couple of days ago it started to itch - which I took as a good thing as that's what happens during healing right?
Positive thinking: I recon I will be mended next week.... Or the following week...ditto ditto, good luck all
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Avatar universal
actualy squats and lunges are part of the physical threapy after pain starts subsiding
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Avatar universal
I recently hurt my tailbone because a girl elbowed it during a soccer game. I got it xrayed and then went to the orthopedic to see what was up. Turns out its fractured, but luckily it is in a good spot to heal. I was prescribed some aleve pain killers that help so much with the pain. I also sit on a neck pillow (like the ones you use while traveling) to sit on, and that really helps. The orthopedic also said to let the water beat down on it gently in the shower with hot water and to deep message the area to help the blood circulate (he said it promotes healing). I also really like to buy heat pads from cvs and use them on that area. If you don't know if your tailbone is just bruised or if its broken or fractured, you should go to the doctor or get it xrayed just to be safe. I hope I helped and I hope all your tailbones feel better soon!
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Avatar universal
Last year I broke my tale bone and bent it,  today i think i broke it again.  Tomorrow I have a track mean and will be in the car for eight hours should i run with it and go or wait this one out. The pain is excruciating.  
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