A broken tailbone can be surprisingly painful. Sitting down, standing up, driving, or even going about your normal routine may become uncomfortable after an injury. The tailbone, also called the coccyx, is a small bone located at the very bottom of the spine.
Although an actual tailbone fracture is relatively uncommon, a hard impact can fracture the coccyx or injure the surrounding tissue. Knowing the symptoms of a broken tailbone can help you recognize when it may be time to see a medical professional.
What Does a Broken Tailbone Feel Like?
According to MedlinePlus, most tailbone injuries involve bruising or damage to the surrounding ligaments rather than a fracture. Still, these injuries can be quite painful.
Common signs of a tailbone injury include:
- Pain or tenderness at the base of the spine
- Pain that gets worse while sitting
- Bruising around the lower spine
- Swelling near the tailbone
- Pain or numbness while sitting
Severe pain or neurological symptoms should be evaluated promptly by a medical professional.
What Causes a Broken Tailbone?
A broken or injured tailbone may result from:
- A slip and fall accident
- A fall from stairs or another elevated surface
- A motor vehicle accident
- A bicycle accident
- A sports-related impact
An accident does not necessarily have to fracture the coccyx to cause considerable pain. A serious bruise or damage to the surrounding ligaments can cause many of the same symptoms.
How Is a Broken Tailbone Diagnosed?
It can be difficult to tell on your own whether a painful tailbone is bruised or fractured. A health care provider may ask how the injury happened and examine the painful area. Depending on the circumstances, diagnostic imaging may also be appropriate.
For example, X-rays and CT scans can be used to look for a coccyx fracture. A provider may recommend other imaging when trying to identify another possible cause of the pain.
A proper evaluation can help identify the injury and rule out other conditions that may require treatment.
How Long Does a Broken Tailbone Take to Heal?
Tailbone injuries often require patience. Recovery time depends on the severity of the injury, but MedlinePlus reports that a fractured tailbone may take approximately eight to 12 weeks to heal. A bruised tailbone may heal in about four weeks.
During recovery, a health care provider may recommend limiting activities that put pressure on the coccyx. Some people find that using a cushion while sitting or avoiding long periods of sitting makes daily activities more manageable.
When Is a Tailbone Injury an Emergency?
Most tailbone injuries are painful but do not require emergency care. However, certain symptoms following an accident may point to a more serious injury.
Seek emergency medical attention if a spinal cord injury is suspected, the injured person cannot move, or the pain is severe. Sudden numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs should also be evaluated. Problems controlling the bladder or bowels can be another reason to seek prompt medical attention.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean the tailbone itself is fractured. They can, however, signal an injury that needs immediate medical evaluation.
Contact the Shreveport Personal Injury Lawyers at Desiah Injury Lawyers for Help
A tailbone injury can make everyday tasks far more difficult than they were before an accident. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury in Shreveport, Louisiana, you may have options for pursuing compensation for your resulting losses.
Desiah Injury Lawyers helps injured people understand their options after an accident. Contact our experienced Shreveport personal injury lawyer to schedule a free consultation. We can answer your questions and assess whether you have a claim.
Desiah Injury Lawyers – Shreveport Office
333 Texas St Suite Suite 1300, Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 252-3034
Desiah Injury Lawyers – New Orleans Office
201 St Charles Ave #2500, New Orleans, LA 70170
(504) 553 3047