Question 1

What is a coccyx fracture?

Accepted Answer

A coccyx fracture is a break in the tailbone - the small triangular bone at the very bottom of your spine. The coccyx is actually 3-5 small bones fused together (or in process of fusing). Fractures can occur between these segments, or the entire coccyx can dislocate from the sacrum above. More commonly, the injury is severe bruising and ligament damage without actual fracture. From a patient's perspective, it doesn't matter - broken versus severely bruised feels the same and treatment is identical. The key symptom is severe pain when sitting, caused by direct pressure on the injured coccyx. Falls landing directly on buttocks are the most common cause.

Question 2

How long does a broken tailbone take to heal?

Accepted Answer

Acute healing: 8-12 weeks for pain to improve significantly. Complete healing: 3-6 months until back to normal. Most people notice: weeks 0-4 (severe pain, cannot sit without cushion), weeks 4-8 (improving, can sit short periods), weeks 8-12 (significantly better, occasional pain), 3-6 months (back to normal or near-normal). However, 5-10% develop chronic coccydynia - persistent tailbone pain beyond 6 months despite conservative treatment. This can last years and is very difficult to treat. Important: healing is slow because coccyx gets constant pressure with sitting and cannot be immobilized like other fractures. You must use cushion and avoid sitting to allow healing.

Question 3

Can you do anything to make it heal faster?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately NO - there's no treatment that speeds healing. Unlike other fractures, you can't cast or immobilize the coccyx. The key is managing pain and avoiding things that slow healing: 1) Use coccyx cushion religiously - takes pressure off so bone can heal. 2) Avoid sitting as much as possible - standing desk, lie on side to watch TV. 3) Prevent constipation - straining puts massive pressure on healing coccyx and re-injures it daily. 4) NSAIDs may help reduce inflammation. What DOESN'T help: bed rest (you need to stay active), specific exercises (coccyx is inside - exercises don't reach it), vitamins/supplements. It's frustrating but patience is the only answer. Most people heal in 8-12 weeks with good cushion use.

Question 4

Do I need an X-ray?

Accepted Answer

Not always necessary. Diagnosis of coccyx injury is usually clinical - based on history (fell on buttocks) and physical exam (exquisite tenderness at coccyx on rectal exam). X-rays often DON'T show the fracture because: 1) The joints between coccyx segments are cartilage (doesn't show on X-ray), 2) Coccyx is very small and overlapped by sacrum on standard X-rays, 3) Many coccyx injuries are soft tissue/ligament damage without bone fracture. X-rays mainly useful to rule out OTHER injuries if fell from height or if pain location unclear. Treatment is identical whether X-ray shows fracture or not. Most doctors diagnose clinically without X-ray. MRI occasionally ordered if pain persists beyond 3 months to check for other causes.

Question 5

Why does it hurt so much to sit?

Accepted Answer

When you sit, your body weight is supported by two ischial tuberosities (sitting bones) and the coccyx. The coccyx is directly in the middle and takes significant pressure. When fractured, this direct pressure is excruciating - like sitting on a broken bone (which you are). Additionally: 1) Coccyx has multiple nerve endings making it very sensitive, 2) Sitting causes coccyx to flex backward slightly (moves broken segments), 3) Pelvic floor muscles attach to coccyx and spasm with injury, 4) Cannot immobilize coccyx - it moves with sitting/standing/bowel movements. This is why coccyx cushion is so important - it removes direct pressure by creating hole or cut-out under coccyx, shifting weight to sitting bones only.

Medical Disclaimer

Broken Tailbone (Coccyx Fracture)

📖What is Broken Tailbone (Coccyx Fracture)?

🔬What Causes It?

⚠️Risk Factors

You may be at higher risk if:

🛡️Prevention