Fractured Coccyx

[AFitz]

I fell fracturing my coccyx in a few places.   My doctor indicated this should resolve in 6-8 weeks, but it's been 10 now and, even though better, I can't sit without a special pillow nor can I walk on the treadmill longer than about 10 minutes.   It feels as if something is in me cutting and burning after exercion or after sitting on it for more than 45 minutes.

I am back to work, but am up and down.    My question is:
How long should I wait to make a decision to get the coccyx cut off?    Has it made the maxiumum improvement it can already?  The XRay shows it to be broken in a few places....

If it can't get better, I want to get the surgery now as my health insurance plan isn't quite so good next year.

[Liz]

I can definitely identify! I fell, October 1997, on a cement tiled floor (indoor pool) with @ 100 lbs. in my hands so I was unable to "catch" myself. The ER told me I had fractured my tailbone. Followed up with a reputable Dr however this was a workman's comp case. When I had told him about the burning in the area of my lowest back and down my right leg to just above the knee he sent me for an MRI (1 month after fall) he only had a scribbled result which stated there was a stress fracture on my lower right sacrum. He said oh that could have happened before, and sent me to pool therapy. When I got in the pool my right leg would tingle, become full of pain and I was unable to swim, let alone keep myself up! Dr.'s response, I can't believe a lifeguard cannot swim and released me from disability, January 1998, and OK'd continuing physical therapy. The ONLY part of the therapy that felt good was the butt massages to my right hip. Since the Dr released me with diagnosis changed from Coccyx fracture to sprain and did not acknowledge the fact that I was complaining of pain and tingling down my right leg with no mention of the stress fracture, it was very difficult to get WComp to believe there was anything wrong with me. Follow-up visits to WComp Drs always said same thing, some tenderness but no lack of range of motion. Of course I could move, but not without pain. The pain grew down my leg and into my foot. It felt like someone had straightened out a metal coat hanger and was jabbing it up and down inside my leg. I finally, Dec of 98 went to the Neuroscience Center and had nerve testing done EEG on the area from just above my knee to my ankle. Normal. I wanted them to test my buttox where it hurt but no. Was referred to Pain Control Center. Dr diagnosed me with lumbar facet pathology. I'm not really sure what that means but was told I have damaged 2 of the nerves associated with the coccyx and sacrum causing sciatica down my right leg. I went online and researched the spots that hurt and found nerve endings like fingers that go around the buttox in the hip BINGO the sciatic comes down and through the hips and I believe I have damaged the nerve in that section. The pain also shoots from my coccyx slanting upward out to the right. The second nerve damage. WC agreed to trigger point injections, not the Dr.'s advice, which did absolutely nothing except hurt more! Then 5 nerve blocks. The Dr explained that since the damage was done 2 1/2 years before the results of the procedure could go either way. Now it is obvious that this damage is of permanent nature. The blocks, actually the last one, diminished the pain for @ 10 days then started returning periodically. Now the pain is as bad, if not worse then before the injections. Excruciating! It never leaves. I can't walk normally' pain now shoots back up with each step, can't carry things, a 2 liter bottle of soda hurts to lift, it hurts to sit and drive, have to switch feet occasionally, cannot sleep well, etc. I was given vioxx, but had reaction. I am considering having the sensory nerve itself cut leaving the motor alone. Now all I have to do is find a Dr that will do it. Unfortunately no Dr wants to do surgery for pain without any evidence of damage from testing. Can anyone help me of where to go from here? Is there a Dr out there that will do this? Please let me know if there is ***@****

[Griffin985]

A related discussion, No Xray was started.

[pita48]

A related discussion, Help for Chronic pain due to a traumatic fall was started.

[Marcus Welch]

Hi all, I have the same problem.  I fractured my coccyx while skydiving.  My army doctors basically gave me some tylenol and told me to deal with it.  The injury is four months old now and is still very painful during situps or extended sitting.  How long should I expect the pain to continue?  Should I try going to a Chiropractor?
Thanks,
Marcus

[chris]

Hi, I just fractured my tailbone 2 weeks ago by slipping on the ice on my front steps.Xrays confirmed the fracture but was in good allignment...I found that an icebag works great and was told that calcium with vitamin D works great also,it helps that burning sensation. I have known a couple of people that have had their tailbone removed and still have some pain problems. I hop this helps sombody,Chris

[Sandy]

This past june i let my dogs outta the kennel for a run, my Dalmation swung out full force and knocked me right between the back of my legs then i went down HARD on the ground right on my tailbone OUCH!!!! Have been complaining to my primary care physicain of constant lower back pain, he was aware of the accident. He told me it will take time to heal,but instead of getting better i am finding it difficult to sit,drive and also a comfortable position in which to sleep :( HELP!! Have been prescribed percocet but even they dont get rid of all the discomfort :(

[Suzanne Kleckner]

Hi:

I fractured my tailbone back in 1991.  Was also dislocated.  6 years later they told me about the fracture and that the two last segments must be removed.  In 1997 they removed the two fractured pieces telling me that since it has been soo long that it probably wouldnt take my pain away, but they needed to be removed.  The surgean told me that the pieces should have been removed within 2 years of the injury, and possibly I might have recovered.  

I now have a Tens unit implanted in me to control my pain, which is placed right next to my coccyx.  The lead just doesnt want to stay in place because of the area.  They have opened me up 3 times now, and I am recovering, and my stimulator still doesnt work.

My question is in your opionion, if they would have removed the broken pieces in time, do you think I might have recovered?

PLEASE respond to me @ [email protected].

This is very important to me to know.


Suzanne

[l .suker]

i have just learnt after an xray that my coccyx is broken and displaced,i have been told that this may involve a opperation to put right,what could this involve.

[Richard]

I fell and fractured my coccyx three months ago.  Th etip of it is dispaced by 3/4 of an inch.  It is still very sore, the longer I sit the harder iti s to get up from the chair.  Other than that I'm getting around O.K.  My doc told me I should plan on this for 6 to 10 months.

[Carol]

In response to "waiting to sit again in Rhode Island.
When I fell and broke my tail bone, I sat on pillows and was in such pain when I had to drive any distance.  I had a baby about 20 months later and as she was being born - I told the Doctor - the baby just put my tail bone in place.  It was great and hasn't bothered me since.  Good luck with your children!

[Judy McPherson]

My daughter is 6 months pregnant and had a very bad fall that either bruised or broke her coccyx. The doctors will not xray her because of the pregnancy but have prescribed Tylenol 2 for her.  Since the fall the baby has not moved very much at all and her doctor still has not put her into the hospital or called for a stress test.  Is this normal?  What effect could this fall and injury have had on the unborn baby?

I'm very worried about her?

[Cyndi]

Hello out there, I had fallen on the hard floors in elementary school around the age of 10, and the doctors revealed that I had fractured my coccyx.  One doctor wanted to crack the bone back rectally, so my mother thankfully got a second opinion. The next doctor did a complete bone scan and told my mother at that time to leave it be and in time it wouldn't bother her anymore. In time it healed, but recently I went for a bike ride and disturbed the area once again. I am now 25 years old and due to this was unable to sit or be comfortable sleeping for about a month. I did go to a doctor in the ER and he suggested removal of it stating that its not needed and will only cause problems in the future every so often, as this occurance. I wasn't too keen on surgery so I waited and as time passed the area healed.  My concern is when will the problem reoccur and what will happen when I am ready to have children, being in such an awkward spot so close to the birth canal?

                 Longing to sit again in RI!

[EE Cooper]

I first injured my coccyx when I was 24 and have had a tender tail since, but only when I sat for a long period.  Recently, a chair collapsed under me and I fell on my coccyx, once again injuring it.  This was 10 months ago.  It is very tender and gives me trouble especially when I ride my bike.  I am a 53 year old woman. Would appreciate medical opinion.  Thanks

[Judy]

I also broke my coccyx. It took a good year before I was completely pain-free.  I was advised NOT to have surgery because opening up the area near the bowel could lead to infection which would be more serious.  Be patient and keep using the donut pillow.

[Ken]

I was told my coccyx was fractured, but the x-rays looked like it was only connected by the tip at the upper curve.
I believe I blanked out, collapsed and crashed my tail bone against the edge of a pool just before falling in.
This was Monday May 29, 2000.

I'm a 53 year old male finding it very difficult to sit down, get up, and don't dare cough but to the pain level.

The treatment I am receiving is Ultrasound and on/off with the ice pack. I don't feel any better from treatment yet, but I suppose time will tell.

Is there any type of relief for this condition?

I don't think I'll go this for a year. I have to drive considerably just to feed my family so the option of changing occupations isn't there.

What relief or other treatment is available?

Ken

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Ellen:

Thanks for the comments.

CCF Neuro MD

[Ellen]

I had a BAD rollerblading accident a few years back, and although I never had Xrays to determine if my coccyx was broken, I know it was badly bruised.  I couldn't sit for weeks and to be honest, I didnt feel normal "down there" for probably 8 months to a year.  The healing was slow, but I did heal completely.  I hope this will be the same w/ you.  Just wanted to let you know that it isn't time to jump on the operating table just yet!!  Godd luck!

Ellen

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear A Fitz:

Sorry to hear that you broke your coccyx.  Not being able to see the x-ray and examine you it is difficult to know the extent of the fracture.  However, I don't think I could advise you to have your coccyx surgically removed.  Allow the tincture of time to heal and the healing process to continue.  As you are in rehab I would imagine that you have seen the improvement, and it should continue.  Surgery, would just put you back further along the healing process and induce more problems down the road.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD