I fell down the stairs 3 weeks ago (on THanksgiving week.) My tailbone hurt really bad. I iced it a little bit at the time and took lots of NSAIDS. But it is still aching at times when I sit on it, or even when I have a big fart or bowel movement. There is no sharp or burning pain, just dull ache. How long can it take these kind of things to heal? I'm not an alarmist, so I just figured it would take a few weeks to go away, but now it is starting to seem a little long! Should I go get an Xray?
I'm actually a PA student, they don't really teach us in school how long it takes a bruised tailbone to heal!!! Especially appreciate answers from Drs, nurses, med students, etc.
2006-12-15 16:23:59 · 15 answers · asked by DJ92 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
You actually could have dislocated or fractured it. There is really nothing to do for that either unless it is really, really bothering you long term and I don't think you are looking for surgical intervention, especially at this point.
They can't always tell on an xray either and they often need to do a rectal exam to check it.
Sitting on a blow up donut helps some, otherwise just keep doing what you are doing - it can be 6 weeks and you can have chronic flareups for awhile too.
2006-12-15 16:28:45 · answer #1 · answered by tatt_bratt 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You may have chipped your tailbone or even broke it. I broke mine in a motorcycle accident one time and it took at least 2 years to heal. I found that taking pressure off your tailbone while sitting helps a lot. I got into the habit of pulling my leg up under me while I sat, just to relieve that pressure. It especially hurts when you first stand up or sit down. I'm not an expert, but it takes a long time to heal this part of your body. You should probably go to a doctor to have him check it out dumplin', even though there isn't much they can do for it. Sorry I couldn't have given you better news. Painful, huh?
2006-12-15 16:30:22 · answer #2 · answered by smcdevitt2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know.. the same kind of thing happened to me a couple of Thanksgivings ago. I never actually got X-rays done, but I happened to be going to a chiropractor at the time for a bad back.. While my back didn't get fixed, my tailbone, which had been turned inside 90 degrees from my fall, was totally fixed and never bothered me again. It took a few visits to do it, but it was completely painless and drug-free. I'm also not a nurse or doctor or anything, but I am a pharmacy technician of a few years if that makes you feel any better. =)
2006-12-15 16:30:29 · answer #3 · answered by statistical_tragedy 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Okay, there are a lot of really enlightened people in here. Good going with the chiropractic message guys. BUT! Laura J your friend is an idiot and for those of you that know me, I seem to not be able to go a minute without using that word. Anyways. Chiropractic adjustments do NOT HURT. What your friend probably felt was the brief burst of speed and pressure that is common in adjusting. Much like a small child or farm animal your friend interpreted this as pain and was surprised. It sure is a good thing the cerebrum has managed to evolve for the rest of us. Anyways, yes you could have fractured your butt bone and the definitive diagnostic staple for this would be radiograph or X-ray. Then go to a recommended Chiropractor in your area have him do his images, diagnosis and treatment and be well my friend, be well!!!
2006-12-18 19:58:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This happened to me last Xmas at my new boyfriends house (!!!! So embarassing!!!, but we're still together, so thats good, actually engaged, lol). It took me over a month to feel much better. I found the hot pads to work well. Plus, I learned to sleep on my back which I normally dont do. That felt the best. Just take it easy and dont over exert yourself until it's completely healed. Unfortunately there's nothing a doctor can do for a broken tailbone, so just wait it out and be patient. It can take over a month, so it's not weird that you're still feeling pain.
I know how you feel, it sux. Good luck!
2006-12-15 16:27:43 · answer #5 · answered by Green1808 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have a bruise, or sacrococcygeal sprain, or even a fracture. Overall, I'd say a rectal exam is more accurate than x-ray for diagnosis. But if you have patience, it's likely it'll heal in another 2-4 weeks. Since putting your a** in a sling is a literary device, not a medical option, have you tried a donut cushion?
2016-03-17 21:45:36 · answer #6 · answered by Virginia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-02-25 20:54:15 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a doctor or a nurse, but I did have a bruised tail bone once...it took forever to heal and there was nothing I could do about it. I think it took at least a year...
2006-12-15 16:26:51 · answer #8 · answered by divinephi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will not go away until you get your chiropractor to bend the tail bone back in place. My friend Margie who is a biochemist had the exact same accident. She had her chiropractor put it back in place, hurt like hell for an instant, but the pain went away immediately and it all healed up quickly.
2006-12-15 16:27:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i would get an xray at this point. I don't think they can do much for it. I know it can't go in a cast but you should have ti checked out.
2006-12-15 16:25:35 · answer #10 · answered by Kitia_98 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋