Symptoms of a Broken Tailbone
Accidents can lead to all manner of injuries, from minor bruising to more severe issues that could require extensive medical care. One type of injury that can have a significant impact on your mobility and your day-to-day life is a broken tailbone.
Unfortunately, these injuries often occur due to slip and fall accidents, and they can be painful and lasting. But how do you know if you have a broken tailbone? Learn more about what can cause the tailbone to break, the symptoms you can experience, and more.
What To Know About a Broken Tailbone
Your tailbone, also called the coccyx, is the last bone in your spine. It’s shaped like a triangle and is made up of three to five sections, which is why it can be tough to recognize if you have a fracture. This grouping of bones ends in a soft point.
It’s possible to bruise and break your tailbone if you land on it with enough force. Many of the symptoms of a broken tailbone are similar to those of a bruised one, with the intensity of the pain being the biggest difference.
Common symptoms of a broken tailbone include:
- Numbness or tingling in your legs
- Swelling around the tailbone area
- Pain when you sit and during bowel movements
- Constant dull pain in your lower back
- Pain during sexual intercourse
Trauma is the most common cause of broken tailbones; slip and fall accidents are the most likely culprits.
Diagnosing a Broken Tailbone
If you suffered an accident and are experiencing the symptoms of a broken tailbone, you need to reach out to medical professionals. This will allow you to get an accurate diagnosis and to start leaving a record of the injury you sustained.
To diagnose this problem, the medical professional will get your medical history and ask about any trauma you may have suffered. They will then perform a physical exam. For most people, imaging tests will also be necessary.
Getting X-rays can help a doctor pinpoint where the fracture is and how serious it may be. If the X-ray doesn’t offer a clear image, you may also have to get an MRI scan.
Broken Tailbone Treatment Options Your Doctor Could Recommend
Unlike other types of bone fractures, placing the tailbone in a cast and immobilizing it isn’t possible. This means that the healing process might take longer and will require special devices, like cushions designed for these kinds of fractures that prevent you from putting pressure on the tailbone when you sit.
Your doctor might give you pain medication and advise you on the use of cold and hot packs to help ease the swelling around the area. If the injury is severe, nerve blockers or steroids might also be necessary. If the pain is interfering with your quality of life and none of the treatments are working, your doctor may recommend surgery.
As with most other types of bone fractures, broken tailbones can take months to heal.
Contact an Experienced Lakewood Personal Injury Attorney For Help With Your Claim
If you suffered a slip and fall accident or any other type of trauma that someone else caused and that resulted in serious injuries like a broken tailbone, you could be eligible for compensation. Compensation may include the coverage of medical expenses, lost wages, and even the pain and suffering the injury has caused.
To have the best chance at getting what you deserve, reach out to a personal injury lawyer in Lakewood, CO, for help, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Matos Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Matos Personal Injury Lawyers – Lakewood Office
550 S Wadsworth Blvd, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80226
(720) 807-1602
Hours: Open 24/7