A bruised tailbone is painful and unsafe

A bruised tailbone is a nuisance that people rarely pay due attention to.

It is very easy to get a bruised tailbone, you don’t even have to fall or hit something hard. To get such an injury, it is enough to just ride a bike on an uneven road. However, having received a bruised tailbone, no one rushes to run to the hospital - it seems shameful, it seems there is nothing so terrible about it. But this is a misconception! It is worth remembering that the tailbone is the extreme section of the spine and any violation or injury will certainly affect the functioning of the entire body. Therefore, you should not be self-confident and indifferent to your body.

A bruise is an injury to the body characterized by damage to tissues or organs, while it is practically not manifested externally. When a bruise occurs, the greatest injury is to soft tissues, which are pressed against the bones. Most often, there is minor internal bleeding, which can be displayed on the skin as a bruise, changing color depending on the self-healing of the injury. The color changes from blue-purple to greenish-yellow.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Causes of tailbone contusion

Any injury can cause a bruised tailbone, but the most common injury that causes a bruise or even a severe bruise of the tailbone is a fall on the bottom. The largest number of people who get a severe bruise of the tailbone is observed in winter, when snow falls and ice appears. It is the ice that helps people fall more often, landing on different parts of the body, causing them to break their arms, legs and, in particular, get a bruised tailbone.

For those who engage in active sports such as roller skating, speed skating, skiing, as well as snowboarding, skateboarding and other sports enthusiasts, the risk of injury, and in particular a severe bruise of the tailbone, increases significantly.

A child's tailbone bruise can be observed much more often than an adult's, since children are more active, practically never sit still, can push or hit each other, thereby provoking a fall. Also, children have a special love for trees, fences, various slides and sports equipment. Every time he climbs to a height, you can expect a tailbone bruise in a child.

In most cases, such an injury occurs instantly and for some time, while the soft tissues recover from the blow, pain from a bruised tailbone may not be observed. However, when natural anesthesia wears off, a person may experience pain for a long time, especially when performing even household tasks that lead to tension of the skin in the pelvic area, can provoke pain at the site of the bruise.

[ 3 ]

Symptoms of a bruised tailbone

How can you tell whether you have a bruised tailbone or not? The most telling symptom that confirms a bruised tailbone is the pain syndrome that occurs immediately after the injury. Depending on the nature of the fall, the weight and height of the person who has bruised the tailbone, the pain can be different - from barely noticeable, practically not interfering with movement, to severe and limiting the capabilities of the injured person.

A few hours after receiving a severe bruise to the tailbone, the victim may experience discomfort when trying to sit or lie down. However, the pain in the tailbone gradually subsides, which makes the person calm down and postpone or completely cancel a visit to the doctor about their injury. This is in vain, since the subsidence of the pain does not mean at all that the injury has passed and there will be no consequences.

Even such an innocent injury as a tailbone contusion may seem to have serious complications and post-traumatic processes. Pain from a severe tailbone contusion may recur, without proper treatment, for up to several years, causing increasing discomfort and irritating the patient. Such a prolongation of painful sensations can be explained by the fact that the injured person develops a chronic tailbone contusion. It is characterized by the fact that a person experiences pain when walking quickly or squatting.

Another equally eloquent symptom of a severe bruise of the tailbone can be called a hematoma at the site of the injury. As a result of a fall or a blow, blood vessels are damaged and ruptured, which form internal bruises, abrasions and bruises on the skin. It is worth noting that bruises can even indicate a fracture or break in bone tissue, which can only be indicated by an X-ray of the injured part of the body. By bruises, the doctor can determine when the injury occurred, since in the first couple of days the damaged area of the skin acquires a red-purple hue, later the color fades to blue-green and yellowish. If the bruise is not visible, then this indicates either the age of this injury or that the patient's skin is not prone to bruising, although their appearance depends not so much on the skin, but on the nature of the injury.

[ 4 ]

Consequences of a bruised tailbone

The consequences of a tailbone contusion can be very unfavorable, since the tailbone is the outermost section of the spine, the spinal cord passes through the spine, which is connected to the brain by many nerves, ligaments and other organs. One of the least dangerous consequences of a tailbone contusion in this case is the development of pain in the bruised area into a chronic form. When a tailbone contusion becomes chronic, the patient will experience pain from the smallest loads on the affected area of the body, including when sitting in one place.

Of the more dangerous and joyless consequences is a bruised tailbone, which causes additional bruising of both the spinal cord and the brain. A strong blow to the tailbone can cause damage to the spinal cord, which is attached to the edge of the tailbone. In this case, frequent headaches may occur. This is explained by the fact that as a result of a blow to the tailbone, a certain displacement occurs in the body. It causes a change in the position of the spinal cord, its tension, which is reflected in the connections with the brain, on the vessels and tissues of the brain.

A spinal cord injury, concussion or bruise will also have a negative effect on your health. A herniation in the occipital part of the spinal cord may also occur.

In addition to a spinal cord and brain injury, a severe spinal injury can also lead to the destruction of the cervical vertebrae - due to compression and a strong blow, they may also not be able to withstand the sudden load.

A bruise of internal soft tissues can have a no more pleasant effect on health. Due to the disruption of normal fluid exchange in them, inflammatory processes can occur, in the rectum there are often exacerbations of the course of the disease in the form of accumulation of pus, and on the coccyx - in the form of fistula formation.

Also, hard bumps – fibrous hematomas – may appear at the site of the bruises.

There is no clear answer to the question "how long does a bruised tailbone hurt?", since each fall is individual and each person's body can react to it differently. Depending on the nature of the bruise and the quality of the injury, the pain can last only a few days, or it can periodically appear for several years. In addition, the treatment used plays an important role, which can help, or may not affect the bruised tailbone at all, since the method is prescribed or selected incorrectly.

What to do if you have a bruised tailbone? First aid for a bruised tailbone

If you do fall on your butt and hit your back, what should you do if you bruise your tailbone?

The first thing you need to do is lie down on your stomach so that the blood can drain from the injured part of the body. In no case should you make any sudden movements, as they can cause harm.

It is necessary to examine the site of the injury, check for bruises at the site of the blow. Sometimes immediately after the blow there is no bruise yet, but only slight redness is visible. Only a doctor with the help of an X-ray can determine the nature and severity of the injury and tell you that you have received a bruise or a fracture of the tailbone.

But still, take note that the very first aid for a bruised tailbone that you can provide yourself is to apply a cold compress to the injured area of the body. It will reduce the blood flow to the bruise and reduce swelling of the affected area, and remove the hematoma.

Cooling of the injured swollen area can last for several hours, so over time, compresses need to be changed. To help compresses, also use ethyl chloride, which instantly evaporates from the skin and cools the affected part of the body.

If the pain is severe enough, you can use painkillers and immediately seek medical help.

Treatment of a bruised tailbone

Before you start treating a tailbone bruise, you should make sure that it is really a bruise and not a fracture. To determine this, you need to take an X-ray. It will help prescribe effective treatment and avoid the development of possible complications. When you are sure that there is no fracture, you can begin treatment at home.

First of all, you should avoid active activities for a few days and rest. If possible, it is better to lie down for a few days. If you tolerate pain in your legs, it will most likely lead to complications.

You need to lie down more, sitting is not recommended. Or it is better to use a special orthopedic pillow or a rubber ring for sitting. The whole point of this is to avoid any load on the tailbone.

Do not use hot compresses or take hot baths under any circumstances. On the contrary, it is recommended to make cold compresses, which will help remove bruises and swelling.

Forget about massaging the injured area, as this will only worsen the course of the disease.

In addition, it is recommended to take relaxing baths (which are done in a sitting position), as well as perform a set of gymnastic exercises. The most necessary exercises are:

• lying on your back, stretch your legs and use your feet to hold, squeeze and release a small rubber ball. The squeeze should last 5 seconds, and there should be at least 10 repetitions. Between sets, take 10-15 second breaks;
• in the same position, lying on your back, bending your knees, you need to slightly raise your pelvis and squeeze your buttocks, holding them tense for about 5 seconds. Do this exercise as much as you can;
• the same position - lying on your back, legs bent at the knees. The ball used in the first exercise should now be squeezed and unclenched with your knees. The press should be tense, the stomach should not stick out. Take breaks when doing this exercise.

These exercises should be done after some time has passed after the injury, but in no case immediately after receiving the injury.

Treatment of a bruised tailbone with folk remedies

In addition to medication and physical therapy, you can also use traditional medicine. Since they are based on the use of natural substances and plants, they will definitely not cause harm.

One of the most well-known folk remedies for treating a bruised tailbone is crushed wormwood, which is applied to the injured tailbone. An onion compress can also help. Arnica tincture, taken 30 drops at a time, will help relieve pain.

A remedy for centuries - plantain leaves. Crushed leaves of this plant or juice are applied to the site of the bruise as a compress. This remedy promotes the healing of the bruise of soft tissues and the tailbone itself.

What to treat a bruised tailbone with?

Doctors recommend using ointments with an anesthetic effect and bruise-removing properties to treat a tailbone bruise. Traumeel or Dolobene gel, herbal ointments such as chamomile, arnica, calendula, or warming ointments are most commonly used to improve blood circulation in the area of the bruise to avoid the appearance of seals.

So what ointment is best to use to treat a bruised tailbone?

• Traumeel is an ointment that should be applied to the damaged area 2-3 times a day. Apply with light movements and rub in. It can also be used as a compress.
• Dolobene gel - the gel is applied with soft rubbing movements, in a thin layer, 2-4 times a day. It can also be used as a compress. It should be applied to cleansed skin. The course is individual and depends on the effect obtained.
• Chamomile ointment – has anti-inflammatory, multi-healing effect. Apply with soft rubbing movements as in previous cases from 2 to 4 times a day.
• Arnica ointment - apply a thin layer to the damaged area of the body twice a day. Can be used under a bandage.
• Calendula ointment – improves blood circulation, accelerates the healing process. Apply 2-3 times a day.

Candles for a bruised tailbone

Special suppositories are also prescribed for the treatment of a bruised tailbone. The most frequently prescribed are suppositories with ichthyol, belladonna, novocaine, and others.

• Ichthyol suppositories are an antiseptic, healing agent. Suppositories are inserted after a cleansing enema or after natural bowel movements. Suppositories are inserted 1-2 times a day.
• Novocaine suppositories – anesthetic. Used 1-2 times a day.
• Belladonna suppositories – increase sphincter tone, prescribed for hemorrhoids. It is recommended to use about three suppositories per day.

Prevention of tailbone contusion

Prevention of a tailbone contusion should include only taking care not to fall, not to sit constantly on hard surfaces, and trying to avoid injury. It is worth doing the exercises described above regardless of injury. General gymnastic exercises will help keep the muscles in good shape.

It is also recommended to visit a doctor at least once every six months to a year who deals with the improvement of the pelvic organs, normalization of blood circulation and improvement of metabolism in myofascial structures - an osteopath. If necessary, he will always refer you to the right specialist.

Take care of your health and be careful, because even the most minor injury, such as a bruised tailbone, can turn into a problem for you for life.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ]