Have you fallen and now fear you’ve broken your tailbone? While it is common to think you have fractured something in your “south side” often you are actually dealing with nothing more than a bruise. However, breaks in this area do happen and getting help may be necessary.

The technical term for a broken tailbone is a “fractured coccyx” and while a bruised one is more common than a broken one, older adults and especially women are more likely to suffer from a fractured coccyx.

The coccyx (or tailbone) is a triangular, bony structure situated at the base of the spine. Because of its position, it is highly susceptible to injury during a fall. Unfortunately for broken tailbone sufferers, many pelvic floor muscles go into the coccyx, which can make everyday functions like defecation, walking, running, and sitting painful and often very difficult.

If your pain is intense and not lessening over time, call our professional Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics team for an evaluation: 423-499-0003. In the meantime here are some tips for lessening tailbone pain:

1. Treat the area – apply ice and/or heat to the tailbone area and gluteal muscles for 10-15 minutes about four times a day. This should relieve any swelling and lessen bruising.
2. Engage in a little therapy –  physical therapy can be beneficial in teaching pelvic floor relaxation techniques to get the coccyx into better alignment and relieve the pain when urinating or defecating. Massage the muscles attached to the tailbone to help ease the pain. Ask Dr. Hall about appropriate clinical exercises you can use to help.
3. Careful sitting – when sitting, don’t slouch. Keep your head, neck, and pelvis straight and neutral. Use a donut-shaped pillow or V-shaped wedge cushion to reduce pressure on the coccyx when sitting. Avoid sitting for extended periods by taking short breaks.
4. Gentle standing – lean forward when moving either from a sitting to standing position or vice versa. 
5. A couple diet adjustments may be necessary. By adding fiber to your diet to soften stools will help bowel movements feel more comfortable while reducing the risk of constipation, a common issue that can be associated with tailbone injuries.

A broken or bruised coccyx will usually heal on its own, but full recovery takes time. Most fractures can take 6–12 weeks to heal. If you’re well beyond that timeframe and still experiencing pain and issues related to a possible broken tailbone, consult with Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics to find out if further tests need to be performed to determine if something like osteoporosis is preventing proper healing.

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