What is the difference between a bruised tailbone and broken one

On top of this, it is not uncommon for doctors to prescribe stool softeners to individuals encountering issues with bowel movements while suffering from a tailbone injury. If the pain is ongoing and severe with little to no signs of healing, local anesthetic injections may be performed. However, there are some severe cases where the pain persists and a surgical option may be best.

This surgery is rare as it includes a partial or full removal of the coccyx or tailbone. Some doctors do not recommend the surgery, while others have performed it many times. The procedure lasts roughly 1 hour and involves general anesthetic. Depending on the surgeon, their approach on whether or not to remove part or all of the coccyx varies.

However, this success rate is highly dependent on the selection of patients. In postoperative situations, the recovery process will usually last roughly a month and can be extremely painful. It can be difficult to sit after surgery. Depending on the injury the amount of time involved in the healing process varies.

The healing process is also dependent on your commitment to treating the coccyx injury properly. Our customer support team is available Monday - Friday from a. Central time. Use our contact form to submit an email to customer support team. We typically respond within one business day or faster. This may affect your shipping time and they will be accounted for in the estimated ship date listed on each product page. Frequently Asked Questions. Free Shipping on U. However, should your X-ray reveal that the tailbone fracture is jeopardizing other structures, or if symptoms worsen throughout your recovery, surgery may be a necessity earlier in the healing process.

Stefano Sinicropi, M. Call 1. Tailbone Bruising Vs. If your tailbone injury is a bruise, healing takes about 4 weeks. These steps may be recommended for the first few days or weeks after your injury: Rest and stop any physical activity that causes pain. The more you rest, the quicker the injury can heal. Ice your tailbone for about 20 minutes every hour while awake for the first 48 hours, then 2 to 3 times a day.

Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Use a cushion or gel donut when sitting. The hole in the center will take pressure off your tailbone. You can buy the cushion at a drugstore. Avoid sitting a lot. When sleeping, lie on your belly to take pressure off the tailbone. Do not use these medicines for the first 24 hours after your injury. They may increase the risk of bleeding.

Talk with your provider before using these drugs if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, or have had stomach ulcers or internal bleeding in the past.

Do not take more than the amount recommended on the bottle or more than your provider advises you to take. You should: Continue to avoid sitting for long periods. In a thin or average-weight person, the coccyx rotates under the body when seated, so it can better absorb the weight. In a heavier person, with larger buttocks, the pelvis and coccyx rotate less when sitting.

This puts more stress on the tip of the coccyx and leads more readily to dislocation or fracture. Your doctor will use a physical exam and X-rays to diagnose your tailbone pain. To find out, your doctor will feel the soft tissue around your coccyx and the lower spine sacrum.

They may be able to detect a pointy growth of new bone, known as a bone spicule, which could be the source of the pain.

In a rectal examination your doctor grasps the coccyx between the forefinger and thumb. The normal range of motion is about 13 degrees. Too much more or too much less, can be a sign of a problem.

X-rays are done in both standing and sitting positions. Comparing the angle of the coccyx in the two positions helps your doctor determine the degree of motion. X-rays can also reveal if the tailbone is broken or just bruised.

A fracture will usually be visible on an X-ray. Although the treatment may be the same, the recovery time is longer for a fracture than for a bruise.

A broken or bruised tailbone is usually treated without surgery. It is successful in 90 percent of cases. Physical therapy and the use of special cushions are the most common and effective forms of treatment. A physical therapist can help you to learn exercises that stretch the ligaments and strengthen the muscles supporting the lower spine. They may use massage or alternating hot and cold compresses to lessen the pain. Your therapist may also guide you in proper posture for sitting. These are specially designed cushions that support the buttocks, but have a cut-out section to relieve pressure on the coccyx.

Here are some cushions available to purchase. Circular doughnut cushions are not advised as they place extra pressure on the coccyx. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs are recommended for the pain associated with a bruised or broken coccyx.