What to Do If You Suspect You Have a Tailbone Injury?

By Your Health Magazine

A tailbone injury might not sound serious at first, but anyone who’s been through it knows how rough it can be. The tailbone, technically the coccyx, lies at the very bottom of your spine. Sitting, bending, or even lying down can feel miserable when there is an injury to the tailbone. What you do after the injury matters. The right steps protect your health, and in some cases, they protect your rights if the accident wasn’t your fault.

How Do Tailbone Injuries Happen?

Most people hurt their tailbone from a fall. Even something as simple as leaning back too hard on a solid chair can do it. Women sometimes injure the area during childbirth, and people who spend long hours on hard seats are at risk too. It is easy to brush off the pain as just soreness. However, it could mean a broken tailbone if the pain lingers.

What Symptoms Should You Watch For?

Tailbone injuries are not the same. Some are just bruises that fade, while others keep hurting long after the fall. Things to look out for include are as follows:

Pain that spikes when you sit down or lean back
Bruising or swelling at the base of your spine
Sharp discomfort when using the bathroom
Tingling or numbness near the coccyx
Trouble standing for more than a short stretch

What Steps Should You Take After an Injury?

There are a few things that can make the recovery easier if you think your tailbone is injured.

Get medical care quickly – A doctor can confirm whether it is a bruise or something more serious.
Sit with support – Cushions, especially donut-shaped ones, help relieve pressure.
Use ice, then heat – Ice helps early swelling, while heat later on can loosen tense muscles.
Limit sitting time – Shifting positions often takes stress off the area.
Write down your symptoms – Notes about your pain become useful if the injury ties back to an accident caused by someone else.

Having a record of both treatment and symptoms is important. It can matter legally, too, if negligence played a role. The personal injury lawyer can go through your medical record and ensure that you get a fair settlement.

When Should You Call a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Note that not every tailbone injury points to legal action. A lawyer may need to step in if a wet floor without warning signs or unsafe conditions caused your fall. Here is what a personal injury attorney usually helps with.

Reviewing your rights under state law
Pulling together medical files as well as accident reports
Figuring out the real costs of the injury
Handling insurance companies
Bringing the at-fault party to justice

People sometimes downplay these injuries. However, chronic tailbone pain can stick around for months. This means continuous medical checks, physical therapy, pain meds, assistive devices, and, in some cases, paralysis. Having legal help gives you a better chance of covering those costs.

How Long Does Recovery Take?

Healing depends on how bad the injury is. A bruise might fade in a few weeks, but fractures or dislocations can take months to settle. Most people get better in about eight to twelve weeks if they follow their treatment plan.

Doctors may recommend physical therapy or pain management strategies during that time. It is tempting to push yourself too soon, but rushing often leads to setbacks.

Important Takeaways

Tailbone injuries range from minor bruises to full fractures
Watch for symptoms like sharp sitting pain or swelling
Getting checked out quickly prevents the pain from worsening
Personal injury lawyers can step in if someone else’s negligence caused the injury
Recovery may be short or long
It is important to be patient for complete recovery