How can you bruise your tailbone

X-rays are often not taken because the treatment is the same. If you have fracture of the tailbone as well as a contusion, healing generally takes 4 weeks or longer. Try to find a position of comfort. Try lying on your side with your knees bent up towards your chest and a pillow between your knees.

A bruised tailbone causes pain when sitting. You may try using a doughnut pillow. This is a foam pillow with a hole in the center to prevent pressure on the tailbone. You can buy this at a pharmacy or orthopedic supply store. Ice the injured area to help reduce pain and swelling. Wrap a cold source ice pack or ice cubes in a plastic bag in a thin towel.

Apply to the bruised area for 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours the first day. He or she might do a rectal exam to rule out any other conditions.

Your doctor might recommend using magnetic resonance imaging MRI to find out if you have a fracture, degenerative changes or, in rare cases, a tumor. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other information we have about you.

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Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. These ulcers form when long term pressure limits blood flow to the area. Signs may include:. Your medical history will help your doctor find the cause of your pain. Let your doctor know about any falls or other accidents that involved your tailbone. If your pain came on gradually, a physical exam might be necessary.

During your exam your doctor will look for:. Your doctor may also press on your tailbone. If the area is tender, it could mean there's a fracture. Your doctor may also decide to do a rectal exam. During this exam, the doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your anus and grasps your tailbone between thumb and forefinger.

This helps the doctor evaluate the range of motion in the joint and ligaments. It can also reveal tenderness in the area. Sometimes, but not always, x-rays can identify a tailbone injury. These x-rays may be done while you're standing and sitting down. This can help find the extent of the injury.

It may also find alignment problems, dislocations, or fractures. In rare cases, your doctor may order a magnetic resonance imaging scan MRI.

During this scan, a magnetic field and radio waves create images of the internal structures around your tailbone. This can be used to find cancer or infection. The cause of tailbone pain can often be found based on your symptoms, medical history, and an exam. In some cases, imaging can help. Lifestyle changes can help most causes of tailbone pain. Recovery may take a while. A bruised tailbone can take between a few days and a few weeks to completely heal.

A fractured tailbone can take four to six weeks. You should be able to return to activities over time as you heal. A full return to sports depends on the sport. Before you can go back to high-impact activities, you need to be able to sit, bend, and walk without pain. Here are some self-care strategies you can do at home.

These can help ease pain and avoid further injury as you heal. Avoid Prolonged Sitting: When you sit down, lean forward to take pressure off your tailbone. Do not sit on a "doughnut. A doughnut can isolate your tailbone. This puts more pressure on it. Instead, use a coccygeal cushion. This is a special wedge-shaped cushion available over the counter. These cushions help ease pressure on the tailbone. Apply Ice or Heat: Apply ice to the tailbone area for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day.

Do this for up to three days after the injury. This can help reduce pain. You may want to try both ice and heat to see which works best for you. Neither has been shown to be better than the other. Avoid Constipation: Constipation can make tailbone pain worse. Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water.

This will help soften stools and make bowel movements easier. Most causes of tailbone pain can be treated at home. Avoid sitting for long periods of time, use ice or heat, and avoid a diet that can cause constipation. This can help reduce pain and inflammation. If your pain doesn't go away after at-home care, your doctor may prescribe a stronger pain medication.

A steroid injection into the joint or ligaments in the tailbone area may also help control pain. If your pain is caused by the ganglion impar, a nerve block may help. This is an injection that helps block pain signals. Infection can be treated with antibiotics. It may also need to be surgically drained. If your pain is caused by pelvic floor muscle spasms, physical therapy can help. This often includes:. In very rare cases, you may need surgery to remove your tailbone. Pain medication can help with your tailbone pain.

In rare cases, surgery may be needed. Many tailbone injuries can't be prevented. Still, you can take steps to stop them from happening. Use protective gear when you play sports. The right padding can often reduce the risk of tailbone injury. Tailbone pain can have many causes. Injuries to the tailbone coccyx can occur when you slip or fall and hit your tailbone.

A tailbone injury causes pain when you sit, especially when you slump or sit on a hard seat. Straining to have a bowel movement can also be very painful. Tailbone injuries can take several months to heal, but home treatment can ease the pain. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.

Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if you have new or worse symptoms in your legs or buttocks.

Symptoms may include Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:. Author: Healthwise Staff.

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional.