How long does it take for a coccyx fracture to heal?

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.

How serious is a coccyx fracture?

A broken or bruised coccyx will usually heal on its own. Physical therapy, exercises, and a special cushion can all help ease the pain and speed recovery. See your doctor if pain is severe, or if you have trouble with bowel movements or urination. Surgery is needed in fewer than 10 percent of cases.

How can you tell if your coccyx is fractured?

The symptoms of a broken tailbone include:

1. an almost constant dull pain in the very low back, just above the buttocks.
2. pain that worsens when sitting and when standing up from a sitting position.
3. swelling around the tailbone.
4. pain that intensifies during a bowel movement.
5. pain that intensifies during sexual intercourse.

What can be done for a damaged coccyx?

Lean forward while sitting down. Sit on a doughnut-shaped pillow or wedge (V-shaped) cushion. Apply heat or ice to the affected area. Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin.

Does a broken tailbone require surgery?

It is done in the cases of pain in the tailbone region (coccydynia) when conservative treatment options, such as rest, painkillers, physiotherapy, and steroid injections, have failed. The surgery is not commonly done, but it can be efficiently performed by experienced orthopedic or spinal surgeons.

Can a broken tailbone affect bowel movements?

If the coccyx is abruptly angled too far forward, it can actually indent into the rectum. This can cause a perpetual feeling of bowel fullness. Also, during a bowel movement the movement of the stool within the rectum can press against the coccyx, causing worsening of the tailbone pain.

How should I sleep with tailbone pain?

Sleep on a firm mattress. Place a pillow under your knees if you sleep on your back. Or, sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees. This will decrease pain and tension in your coccyx and back.