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A broken or injured tailbone can cause pain that occurs in certain positions, such as sitting or having a bowel movement.
the coccyx orcoccyx, is a group of small bones that form the base of the spinal column. Depending on the person, the coccyx is made up ofbetween three and fiveSpin. This small group of bones ends in a soft spot. With the exception of the first segment, the vertebrae are usually fused.
The human tailbone curves downward, but the degree of curvature varies from person to person. When you sit down, some of your upper body weight rests on your tailbone. A fracture or injury to the tailbone can be very painful, especially when you sit down.
The coccyx hangs over the greatgluteus maximusmuscle, as well as various other muscles and ligaments.
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you are there toohigher riskif you haveosteopenia(loss of bone).
Car accidents are a common cause of tailbone injuries.
Tailbone pain is usually localized. Actions that can trigger pain include:
- extended session
- lean back while sitting
- long standing
- Getting up from a sitting position
- defecate or urinate
- intercourse
lower back painor pain that radiates down the legs may occur, but is not common. You may feel a frequent need to have a bowel movement.
The medical term for tailbone pain is coccyx. This could be due to a dislocation or a complete fracture (rupture).
People who see a doctor with tailbone pain may have recently suffered a traumatic injury to the tailbone from a fall or impact. But many can experience pain without remembering an injury. Sometimes sitting on a hard bench can be the trigger.
the coccyx isabout three timesmore often inoverweightHumans due to the anatomy of the coccyx in relation to the spine and buttocks. When sitting, the tailbone and two buttocks form a tripod that supports the weight of the torso.
In a thin or moderately heavy person, when sitting, the tailbone rotates under the body to better support the weight. A heavier person with larger buttocks rotates the pelvis and tailbone less when sitting. This puts more pressure on the tip of the tailbone and it is more likely to dislocate or break.
Your doctor will use a physical exam and x-rays to diagnose your tailbone pain. It is important to know if something other than a traumatic injury is causing the pain.
To find out, your doctor will examine the soft tissue around your tailbone and lower spine (sacred). You may see a sharp growth of new bone known as a bone needle, which could be causing the pain.
They will also look for other possible causes of the pain, such as: B. a tumor iningrown hair cyst, opelvic muscle spasms.
During a rectal exam, your doctor will hold your tailbone between his index finger and thumb. By moving it around, they can determine if the tailbone has too much or too little mobility. The normal range of motion is
X-rays are taken while sitting and standing. Comparing the angle of the tailbone in the two positions will help your doctor determine the amount of movement.
Broken tailbone vs. bruised tailbone
X-rays can also show if the tailbone is broken or just bruised. A fracture is usually visible on an x-ray. Although treatment may be the same, recovery time is longer for a fracture than for a bruise.
broken coccyx images
A broken or bruised tailbone is usually treated without surgery. is successful in
Other non-surgical treatments include:
- pelvic floor rehabilitation
- manual manipulation and massage
- electrical nerve stimulation
- steroid injections
- nerve block
- spinal cord stimulation
physiotherapy
A physical therapist can help you learn exercises that stretch the ligaments and strengthen the muscles that support the lower spine. You can alternate hot and cold massages or compresses to relieve pain. Your therapist can also guide you into the correct sitting position.
coccyx cushion
These are specially designed pads that support the buttocks but are cut out to relieve pressure on the tailbone. They are available online or in stores without a prescription. here are somebuy pillows.
Circular (donut) pillows are not recommended as they put extra pressure on the tailbone. They are most useful for rectal pain.
medicine
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are recommended for pain associated with a broken or bruised tailbone. These include:
- Ibuprofen(Advil, Motrin)
- Acetaminofeno o Paracetamol (Tylenol)
- Aspirin(Bayer, Ecotrin)
- naproxen(Alevé, Naprosyn)
Surgery on a broken tailbone
Surgery is done infrequently, but may be necessary for people who do not respond to therapy.
Surgery may involve removing the entire tailbone (coccyxectomy) or removing one or more segments. The best results occur in two types of cases:
- those with hypermobility (too much range of motion) of the tailbone
- those with spikes (narrowing, new bone growth) in the tailbone
The recovery time for a bruised or fractured tailbone depends on your age and the severity of the injury. Children recover faster than adults and young adults faster than older ones.
The average recovery time for a bruised tailbone isup to four weeks. A cracked or fractured tailbone can take timeup to 12 weeksannounce.
rehabilitation
Rehabilitation includes physical therapy, home exercises, and possibly a special seat cushion.
Broken tailbone exercises
Your doctor or physical therapist can give you exercises to strengthen the muscles around your tailbone. This includes the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.Kegel exercisesHelp strengthen the pelvic floor. They are useful for both men and women.
Sitting up can also help. Sit with your back against the chair and avoid slouching. Keep your feet flat on the floor and use a book or other support if your legs won't reach.
sleeping with a broken tailbone
To ease the pain of a broken or bruised tailbone, you should sleep:
- on a firm mattress
- on your side with a pillow between your knees
- on your back with a pillow under your knees
pain therapy
Pain management includes massage, heat and ice, andNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also very important to keep your workouts up to date.
The flexibility of children's bones reduces the likelihood of coccyx injuries. However, tailbone injuries are still common in children due to their activity in sports and games.
Recovery times are faster in children than in adults. Tailbone surgery is rarely necessary.
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The position of the tailbone also makes it susceptible to injury during a difficult delivery, especially when instruments must be used.
A broken or injured tailbone usually heals on its own. Physical therapy, exercise, and a special pillow can help reduce pain and speed recovery.
See your doctor if the pain is severe or if you have trouble having a bowel movement or urinating. Surgery is required in less than 10 percent of cases.