How long does it take a tailbone fracture to heal

A tailbone injury can be very painful and slow to heal. Healing time for an injured tailbone depends on the severity of the injury. 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.

Will a broken tailbone heal on its own?

Outcome. 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.

What are some signs of a broken tailbone?

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

What is the fastest way to heal a sore tailbone?

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.

Should you go to the doctor for a broken tailbone?

If you have the signs and symptoms of a coccyx injury or unexplained discomfort in the tailbone area, contact your doctor. It may be necessary for the doctor to decide if the injury is traumatic or if the pain is caused by other, more serious, problems.

Is a broken coccyx serious?

Tailbone injuries are likely to cause pain, swelling, and bruising. Sitting or having a bowel movement may be especially painful. Still, most tailbone fractures are not medical emergencies. Go to your healthcare provider for treatment.

What happens if a broken tailbone goes untreated?

When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn’t heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.

Can I work with a fractured coccyx?

Having sustained a broken coccyx at work, you could be off work for several weeks if not longer depending on the severity and complexity of the fracture and your ability to heal.

Can tailbone pain last for years?

Tailbone pain ranges from a dull ache to a fierce stab. It can last for weeks, months or sometimes longer.

Can a broken tailbone affect bowel movements?

It is possible to break (fracture) this bone when you fall and land in a seated position. This injury takes about 4 to 6 weeks to heal. Until then, it will be painful to sit and to have bowel movements.

Article first time published on

Who treats tailbone pain?

When Should I See a Doctor for Tailbone Pain? If your tailbone pain doesn’t subside, you should consult with a hip surgeon. Your orthopedist may do an exam to rule out other conditions, including checking for a fracture, degenerative conditions, or even a tumor in the tailbone area.

Can a fracture heal in 2 weeks?

Depending on the severity of the fracture and how well a person follows their doctor’s recommendations, bones can take between weeks to several months to heal. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the average bone healing time is between 6 – 8 weeks, although it can vary depending on the type and site of the injury.

Can a fracture heal without a cast?

Technically speaking, the answer to the question “can broken bones heal without a cast?” is yes. Assuming conditions are just right, a broken bone can heal without a cast. However, (and very importantly) it doesn’t work in all cases. Likewise, a broken bone left to heal without a cast may heal improperly.

Is walking good for tailbone pain?

Sometimes, the pain can shoot all the way down your legs. Standing or walking should relieve the pressure on your tailbone and ease discomfort.

Can you crack your coccyx bone?

Coccyx fractures usually result from a backwards fall or a strong blow to the tailbone. The coccyx has some flexibility to absorb shock, but excessive stress on the bone can lead to a crack or break. Symptoms will include pain, swelling and possibly visible bruising.

Can a broken tailbone get infected?

It’s called a pilonidal cyst, and it can become infected and filled with pus. Once infected, the technical term is “pilonidal abscess,” and it can be painful. It looks like a large pimple at the bottom of your tailbone. It is more common in men than in women.

Why do fractures hurt more at night?

During the night, there is a drop in the stress hormone cortisol which has an anti-inflammatory response. There is less inflammation, less healing, so the damage to bone due to the above conditions accelerates in the night, with pain as the side-effect.

What are the stages of bone fracture healing?

There are three stages of bone healing: the inflammatory, reparative, and remodeling stages.

What are the 4 stages of bone healing after a fracture?

There are four stages in the repair of a broken bone: 1) the formation of hematoma at the break, 2) the formation of a fibrocartilaginous callus, 3) the formation of a bony callus, and 4) remodeling and addition of compact bone.

What should you not eat with a broken bone?

In some cases, they may cause your body to pull nutrients from the bones. Foods to avoid include foods high in sugar or salt, red meat, alcohol and caffeine. It is best to abstain from alcohol while healing a broken bone. Patients, who smoke, have a much longer average time to healing.