Symptoms of a Broken Tailbone

April 15, 2024 | Personal Injury

Symptoms of a Broken Tailbone

In an accident, you may experience trauma to certain parts of the body, including the head, neck, and back. However, one of the areas of the body that can suffer injury that’s less spoken about is the tailbone. 

If you sustain an injury to your tailbone after an accident caused by another, you may have a valid personal injury claim. It’s best to discuss your case with an experienced attorney as soon as possible for guidance. 

What Is the Tailbone?

The tailbone, formally called the coccyx, is the last bone at the base of the spine. It’s a small bone made of several vertebrae fused together, creating a curved appearance. 

The tailbone serves many important purposes, like supporting your weight, connecting important muscles and tissues, and helping you keep your balance while sitting. When the coccyx sustains an injury, it can be particularly troubling.

What Causes Tailbone Injuries?

The tailbone is a strong bone. It’s not uncommon to fall on your rear and suffer no injury. Nonetheless, accidents can cause tailbone injuries requiring medical intervention.

Generally, tailbone injuries are caused by direct trauma to the area. This can happen from numerous different types of incidents, including:

Certain individuals are more at risk of suffering broken tailbones, including those with brittle bones. Still, just about anyone of any age can break their coccyx. 

Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Tailbone

Many don’t even pay much attention to their tailbone until they’ve sustained an injury to the area. Some of the signs indicating a broken tailbone include:

  • Constant pain in the lower back
  • Bruising, swelling, or tenderness around the tailbone
  • Pain that intensifies when sitting or standing up from a seated position
  • Pain during bowel movements
  • Pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse
  • Numbness and tingling down the leg

If you’ve recently been in an accident or suffered a traumatic incident that’s affected your backside, do not hesitate to seek medical care. Waiting to treat your tailbone injury can worsen the situation and result in a longer recovery time. 

Diagnosis and Treatment of a Broken Tailbone

Multiple issues can cause the same types of symptoms of a broken tailbone. For this reason, your medical provider must properly diagnose your fracture. To do so, they’ll take a thorough medical history, perform a physical examination, and likely order medical imaging tests, like X-rays and MRIs.

Treatment for a tailbone injury depends on the severity. After suffering a coccyx fracture, your doctor may recommend:

  • Taking a break from any physical activity to promote healing
  • Only sitting on a special cushion to avoid putting direct pressure on the tailbone
  • Heat and cold therapy
  • Painkillers

For more serious tailbone fractures, your healthcare provider may recommend a nerve block if pain is the primary concern, as well as other remedies.

If you sustain a broken tailbone injury at the hands of another, you may have a valid claim for compensation. Don’t wait to discuss your situation with a skilled personal injury attorney right away. A lawyer can review the details and best determine how to proceed with your case.Your personal injury lawyer can determine the cause of your broken tailbone, who’s responsible for your injury, and the full extent of your related monetary and non-monetary losses. Having an attorney handle your case can give you the best chance of obtaining favorable compensation for your injuries.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in San Antonio, TX

If you’ve been injured in an accident in San Antonio, Texas, and need legal help, contact our San Antonio personal injury lawyers at George Salinas Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

George Salinas Injury Lawyers
6243 I-10 Ste. 955, San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 225-0909