Tailbone (Coccyx) Fracture

Home care

• Lying down or standing will often be more comfortable than sitting. When you must sit, use a doughnut pillow. This is sold at most pharmacies or surgical and orthopedic supply stores. You can also make a doughnut-shaped pillow using a 4-inch foam pad with the center cut out.

• Apply an ice pack over the injured area for not more than 20 minutes. Do this every 1 to 2 hours for the first 24 to 48 hours. Keep using ice packs as needed to ease pain and swelling. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a clean, thin towel or cloth. Never put ice or an ice pack directly on the skin.

• You may use over-the-counter pain medicine, unless another pain medicine was prescribed. Talk with your provider before using these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease, or ever had a stomach ulcer or digestive tract bleeding.

• Keep your stools soft to prevent pain when having a bowel movement. Unless another medicine was prescribed, try the following:

  • If you are constipated: Use over-the-counter laxatives. Ask your pharmacist for advice for mild acting or stronger acting medicines.

  • If you aren't constipated: Use over-the-counter stool softeners to make passing stool less painful. Your pharmacist can suggest options. Adding fiber to your diet or using fiber supplements is a long-term solution to keep your stools soft and prevent constipation. Ask your pharmacist to advise a fiber supplement.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider if your symptoms don't improve after 1 week.

If X-rays were taken, you will be told of any new findings that may affect your care.

When to get medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if:

• Pain becomes worse or spreads to your legs

Call 911

Call 911 if you have:

• Weakness or numbness in 1 or both legs

• Loss of control over bowels or bladder, or numbness in the groin area