Tailbone Trauma

Tailbone trauma is any injury that occurs to the coccyx or tailbone, which is found at the base of the spine.

What are the causes and risks of the injury?

Usually, tailbone trauma occurs when a person falls backward onto the tailbone and lands on a hard surface. This happens more often to elderly people. It is also more likely to occur when walking on very slick surfaces, such as a wet or polished floor or ice.

Tailbone trauma may also be caused by a direct blow to the area or by strain during childbirth.

The factors that increase an individual's risk for tailbone trauma include the following:

What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?

Tailbone trauma can cause:

A severe injury may cause chronic pain and nerve damage. The individual may experience long-term difficulty with walking and bowel movements.

How is the injury recognized?

Tailbone trauma is usually diagnosed when a person reports a fall and the healthcare provider examines him or her. The provider may order an X-ray of the lower spine.

What can be done to prevent the injury?

To prevent injury to the tailbone, a person should:

A person who is elderly or prone to falls should:

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What are the treatments for the injury?

Treatment of tailbone trauma may involve any or all of the following measures:

If the injury is severe, the healthcare provider may advise surgery to remove the damaged section of coccyx. If there is an open wound, the provider may prescribe oral antibiotics to avoid infection.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Pain medicines or antibiotics may cause stomach upset or an allergic reaction.

What happens after treatment for the injury?

Unfortunately, a tailbone injury can take quite a while to heal. Some people do not completely recover for 6 to 8 weeks or even longer. While the injury is healing, it is essential to avoid taking other falls that would injure this area again and lengthen the recovery time. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.

Author:James Broomfield, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Ballenberg, Sally, BS
Edit Date:04/30/01
Reviewer:Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:08/09/01