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

[queenbee82]

I also broke my tailbone about 4 years ago and am still in pain when I sit for a long period of time or lay the wrong way in bed. It also sometimes bothers me when running up and down stairs. I have just learned to deal with it as you have too. Thanks for sharing a similar story!

[Tired55]

Wow, there are a LOT of people with injured tailbones!! Like everyone else, I broke mine in early 80's. Couldn't sit or do much of anything for about three yrs. Finally went to great back program at Good Samaritian Hosp. in Phx., Az. Underwent physical therapy(made me worse) occupational therapy, and psychotherapy. Dr. realized that nothing was helping; had a growth off of my broken coccyx that was pressing on my sciatic nerve in my left leg,causing even more pain and loss of mobility. Surgery was the last option but thank heavens I had it. After a few days was almost as good as new! Now that I'm much older(had surgery in '85) it does bother me but not nearly like it did, have had epidurals but never helped. I would recommend finding a good ortho and going from there. Time sometimes will heal but not always as in my case. I unfortunately have to disagree with DC and ice. I was told by more than one reputable (sp) orthopedic surgeon that having my back popped by a chiropracter could cause damage to my spinal cord. I am NOT saying not to entertain going to a chiropracter, I'm just stating what I was told. Good luck, Tired55

[anns_mom]

my daughter had the surgery TWICE - removing one section each time. Its been two years since tyhe surgery-her tailbone STILL hurts her. I don't frquent this site. I was actually looking for another form of relief for her because nothing is working

[missinpain]

over a year ago I woke up one morning and could hardly get out of bed. After many dr visits and exrays  mri`s etc I found out my tail bone is broken at a 90  degree angel can not hardly do anything even though I am on pain meds . Can you tell me what your Dr did to help you . My orthapedic said he could remove the two bones at the end but it is not an easy operation because of the area and could have problem with infection . Would be grateful to hear back from you .
Thank you missinpain

[Sagar636]

i bruised my tail bone while working out @ gym ...
i was doing dumbbell press n while getting up i bruised my tail bone @ the end of the bench as it got all the pressure of the dumbbells(30 kgs) n my upper body ( the bench was not proper n i blame it for my injury)..

it was 3-4 months ago ...
the pain has subsided quite a bit but it still hurts while sitting for a longer period or riding bikes

m 24 yrs old n by reading all of those comments n experiences i have a feeling that i got to live with this pain for the rest of my life... :(

thanks for sharing ur pain
this made me not to feel alone ...

[thibodeaux]

I fell down no fault of mine,I slipped on something at a school in Fort Bend ISD in Missouri city from the 2nd down ,to this day I am still suffering this happenend in April of 2008 broken tail bone,knee surgery,lumbar spine disc bulging,lumbar dics herniation and more the insurance company say its all degeneration.Texas is the worst state in the nation to get good help .The management firm is so bad and will not help.Lost in a maze.