In a coccyx fracture (coccyx fracture), the coccyx (os coccygis) is broken – the lowest part of the spine. This happens, for example, on one’s buttocks. The typical symptoms are pain and swelling around the coccyx. The treatment includes the administration of painkillers and bed rest. Find out more about the coccyx fracture here.
Coccyx fracture: description
A coccyx fracture is one of the injuries of the pelvis. The tailbone (Os coccygis) joins the sacrum and consists of the lowest four to five vertebrae of the spine, which are usually fused together. Only the first vortex still has the construction of a typical vortex.
Tailbone rupture: symptoms
In a coccyx fracture, the soft tissues over the coccyx are swollen and tender. Afflicted complain that they can barely sit. Also when walking certain movements hurt. As the coccyx forms the lowest pole of the central nervous system, a coccyx fracture causes persistent nerve pain.
Chronic coccygeal pain is also referred to as coccygodynia. These are pain that last for weeks and can radiate into the anal area, groin and hip area.
Coccyx fracture: causes and risk factors
A broken coccyx may be the result of direct trauma, such as a fall or a firm kick on the buttocks. But the cause of a coccyx fracture can also be a birth: If the coccyx extends far into the pelvis, it can break at birth under the pressure of the child’s head.
Coccyx fracture: examinations and diagnosis
The specialist for a coccyx fracture is a doctor for orthopedics and traumatology. To determine if the coccyx is actually broken, the doctor will first ask you about the accident and your medical history. Possible questions are:
- How exactly did the accident happen?
- Do you have pain?
- Did you already have complaints like pain and restricted mobility?
Subsequently, the doctor will examine your tailbone closely and pay attention to whether soft tissue is injured or other accompanying injuries exist. Thereafter, the doctor will examine the rectum with his finger (digital-rectal examination). This can cause pain in the fracture area.
Coccyx fracture: imaging examination
To further diagnose a coccyx fracture, an X-ray is always taken. A pelvic overview and a side view are taken.
Coccyx fracture: differential diagnosis
Tailbone pain does not necessarily come from a fracture. Sometimes the coccyx is only bruised or partially dislocated. The pain may also be due to a severe birth or chronic microtrauma resulting from prolonged sitting. A deep-seated rectal tumor can also be the cause of the pain.
Coccyx fracture: treatment
If the coccyx is actually broken, treatment is usually conservative. The pain can be stopped with analgesics (analgesics). Until the break has healed, bed rest should be kept as much as possible. An operation to remove the coccyx is possible. However, the complaints are not eliminated, because the resulting scar can continue to hurt.
With the help of a seat ring, the pain while sitting can be reduced. For this purpose, for example, a weak inflated child swimming ring can be used. If pain persists, analgesics or cortisone may also be injected.
Tailbone rupture: Disease course and prognosis
The disease process in the coccyx fracture is often tedious. While the symptoms in a sprained coccyx can subside within a week, this often takes several weeks for a coccyx fracture. In some cases, they develop after one coccyx fracture also chronic pain in the area of the coccyx (coccygodynia).