Treatment for painful broken or bruised coccyx

[gunsonaj]

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

[bunny3411]

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.

[jessicah847]

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

[FrankieSnowboard]

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

[dweav981]

actualy squats and lunges are part of the physical threapy after pain starts subsiding

[Livelaughsoccer]

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!

[confusedinpain81]

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.