Is a broken tailbone an emergency?

Tailbone injuries are likely to cause pain, swelling, and bruising. Sitting or having a bowel movement may be especially painful. Still, most tailbone fractures are not medical emergencies. Go to your healthcare provider for treatment.

When should you go to the doctor for a broken tailbone?

See your doctor if the pain is severe or lasts more than a few days. Most of the time, tailbone pain isn’t serious. It can sometimes be a sign of an injury. In very rare cases, tailbone pain can be a sign of cancer.

Do you always bruise with a broken bone?

The indirect force itself may be relatively minor and therefore no bruising is seen at the site where it was applied. Similarly, with an indirect force soft tissue injury at the site of the fracture may be minimal and bruising here may also be absent.

How do I know if my bone is fractured?

Signs of a broken bone include:

1. Pain located directly on top of the bone – where there is no soft tissue.
2. Pain becomes worse when you apply pressure or move the injured limb.
3. Severe swelling, or bruising over the top of the bone, numbness or tingling.
4. A “cracking” (not “popping”) sound at the time of the injury.

What can you do if you crack your tailbone?

Your doctor may recommend several ways to alleviate inflammation and pain, including:

1. Positioning. When sitting, lean forward to distribute more of your weight over your legs.
2. Ice.
3. Heat.
4. Medications.
5. Physical and occupational therapy.

How long can you wait to set a broken bone?

Restricting movement of a broken bone, which requires a splint, sling, brace or cast, is critical to healing. Before applying a cast, your doctor will likely wait until the swelling goes down, usually five to seven days after injury.

Should I go to the emergency room for a tailbone injury?

A doctor will be able to determine if your injury is related to an unrealized trauma or is linked to a more serious condition. It is rare that an injury to the tailbone requires a visit to the emergency room.

What are the symptoms of an injured tailbone?

Once injured it can cause pain in sitting, pain with bowel movements, pelvic floor dysfunction, (such as pain with intercourse) or even cause reactions up the spine, all the way to the neck and head. What is the Tailbone? The coccyx, or tailbone, is the last piece of the spine.

How long does it take for an injured tailbone to heal?

Healing time for an injured tailbone depends on the severity of the injury. 1 If you have a fracture, healing can take between 8 to 12 weeks. If your tailbone injury is a bruise, healing takes about 4 weeks.

Is it possible to break your tailbone?

The tailbone, or coccyx, is the last bone in the spine. This triangle shaped bone is made up of three to five different sections, which can make it difficult to detect a broken tailbone. Tailbone breaks, or fractures, are fairly uncommon. It is more common for a person to bruise their tailbone or pull a ligament in that area.