Symptoms of a Broken Tailbone

Bill Allen | August 4, 2023 | Personal Injury

Symptoms of a Broken Tailbone

Almost everyone has fallen on their tailbone at one point or another. If it has happened to you, you know that hitting your tailbone on the ground can be painful, and that pain and discomfort can sometimes persist for hours or days after the fall.

The tailbone is resilient but not indestructible. Like any other bone in your body, it can fracture. However, it may not be readily apparent when you have bruised your tailbone and when you have broken it. By paying close attention to key symptoms after an accident, you can distinguish between a minor injury and what may be a fracture requiring medical attention.

Your Tailbone and Its Function

Your tailbone is called your coccyx, and it is comprised of between three and five fused vertebrae. Most people have a coccyx that curves slightly, while about one-third have a tailbone that points straight down. Whether your tailbone is straight or curved usually makes no difference in your day-to-day life, except that a coccyx with too great a curve can cause pain.

The coccyx lies at the base of your spinal column, below the bottom of your pelvis. Bones at the base of your pelvis, called ischial tuberosities, are primarily responsible for supporting your body weight when you sit down. Many muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your pelvic region and lower body attach to your tailbone.

Common Causes of Tailbone Pain

Pain in your coccyx is abnormal, and the cause of this pain can usually be traced to one of three causes. 

These potential causes include:

  • Childbirth
  • Internal trauma, such as from an infection
  • External trauma from an injury accident

Examples of external trauma that can lead to a coccyx injury include a slip and fall accident, a car accident, a bicycle or motorcycle crash, or an act of violence that results in a direct blow to your coccyx.

Signs Your Coccyx Is Fractured

If you notice any of the following signs following external trauma to your tailbone, it may indicate that your coccyx is fractured. 

It’s important to seek medical attention if you notice pain that does not go away:

  • While sitting, leaning back, or getting up from a seated position
  • During or after a bowel movement or urination
  • During sexual intercourse
  • After standing for an extended period of time

You will also want to have a medical evaluation if you experience pain that is accompanied by numbness or tingling in your lower extremities.

In the case of a minor tailbone injury, rest may be all that is necessary for the tailbone to heal. On the other hand, surgery might be required to repair the damage to your coccyx in cases of severe trauma.

What To Do If You Suspect You Broke Your Tailbone

Accidents involving the tailbone are common, and pain after such an incident is a frequent symptom. However, pain alone does not indicate whether you bruised your tailbone or if you have suffered a fracture. While pain associated with a bruised coccyx will improve with time, the symptoms of a broken tailbone will persist and may worsen until you receive treatment.

If you suffer trauma to your tailbone and are unsure of how severe the damage is, the best course of action is to see your doctor. An X-ray can confirm whether your tailbone is broken. And if your injury resulted from the negligent actions of another party, you may be eligible to seek compensation for the harm you suffered in Florida. 

A qualified Gainesville personal injury attorney will be able to determine your legal options.

Contact Our Gainesville Personal Injury Law Firm in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville personal injury lawyers at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have three convenient locations in North Central Florida:

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258