As you know, after a fall, almost any injury can be received. In most cases, damage to the upper and lower extremities is observed. Fracture of the coccyx is less common, since the segmental bone is perfectly protected from external influences. An injury of this nature occurs not only as a result of an unsuccessful fall, damage is caused by a traffic accident or a strong blow to this area.
Pelvic injuries are often observed in older people and women. This is due to the structural features of the body. At risk are also children and athletes.
A tailbone fracture is a traumatic condition in which the integrity of the coccygeal vertebrae is impaired. It is worth noting that this damage can lead to serious complications. Therefore, care must be taken to minimize the risk of injury. In our material, we will consider the symptoms and treatment of tailbone fracture, as well as pay attention to the causes and consequences.
Causes of injury
For starters, a bit of anatomy. The tailbone is an important element of the human musculoskeletal system. One of his tasks is to participate in the correct distribution of loads on the small pelvis. Fractures of this kind in humans are quite rare.
Consider the main causes of injury:
- falling from a large or medium height to the coccyx, it is worth noting that in most of these cases the upper part of the coccyx suffers;
- childbirth. Women who bear a large fetus are at risk, because when a child passes through the birth canal, the cross-coccygeal movable joint may shift;
- a strong blow to the pelvic region, a mechanical impact in which the external structure of the vertebrae suffers;
- during a traffic accident, it is possible to receive absolutely any type of injury;
- prolonged force on the pelvis. A tailbone fracture in women and men can occur as a result of constant driving with shaking, working circumstances, etc.
Bruise or fracture?
In fact, these lesions are easily confused when it comes to the tailbone. The lower part of the spine has good protection against injuries, so in most cases this segment does not lend itself to fracture, instead of it a bruise forms. People should understand that with a serious injury you can not hesitate and you need to immediately take action. In case of a tailbone fracture, you should immediately go to the hospital. If a bruise is found, you can wait a bit. But the traumatologist still needs to seem to gain confidence.
So, we will consider the main criteria for distinguishing these damages:
- Bruising. In the absence of this symptom we are talking about a bruise. When a serious fracture is diagnosed, blood appears very quickly.
- Painful sensations. It is worth noting that in both cases this symptom will be observed. Injuries can be distinguished by the nature of the pain. Fracture is characterized by sharp and sharp unpleasant sensations, which for a long period do not give rest. With a bruise, a stepwise pain intensity is diagnosed, for a while it subsides and then annoys again.
- Defecation. One of the symptoms of a tailbone fracture is a quick urge to defecate, and the process is difficult and painful. This cannot be said about bruises.
Classification
According to statistics, most of these injuries occur in the winter season, when everyone rolls downhill using sleds and other means. Irregularities in the ice slide hit the lower part of the spine, resulting in a bruise or fracture. Therefore, parents need to be especially careful and, if possible, monitor the child.
Traumatologists distinguish three types of damage:
- fracture without displacement. This is a classic injury, usually there are no complications if treatment is started in a timely manner;
- tailbone fracture with displacement. A rather rare situation, but the most dangerous, there is a risk of a negative effect on the spinal cord;
- fracture. Subluxations and dislocations are presented here, the most common case.
In older people suffering from osteoporosis or other pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, a fracture with a fracture of the bones of the processes is usually observed. As you know, with age, bone deformation occurs, they become fragile. Therefore, even with minor exposure, a fracture is detected. According to statistics, fractures are mainly found in women, and dislocations in children.
Symptoms of a tailbone fracture
The key sign by which damage of this nature can be determined is painful sensations. The pain is quite sharp and sharp, worse when walking and making sudden movements. A patient who has been diagnosed with a fracture cannot sit in the usual position, discomfort becomes stronger. In addition, a small swelling occurs at the site of damage. When defecating, the patient experiences special difficulties.
The symptoms of coccyx fracture in women and men include difficulty in movement. If there is an injury with displacement, the victim will be practically unable to walk due to unbearable pain. Unpleasant sensations are intensified by sneezing and any other action performed by the patient.
Diagnostics
After receiving damage, you should contact a traumatologist as soon as possible. The specialist, in turn, conducts an initial examination of the patient. First you need to palpate the fracture zone to check for reflexes and the presence of pain. Then you can start collecting information from the victim, the doctor needs more details and circumstances in which the patient was injured. As a result of the initial examination, the traumatologist makes a preliminary diagnosis. To finally determine the type of injury, you need to carry out instrumental procedures.
As you know, the most effective diagnostic method is radiography. It is performed in profile and full-face, which allows you to clearly see in the picture all the changes that have occurred. In rare situations, the doctor prescribes additional activities. Although if the damage is serious and there is a suspicion of damage to the spinal cord, the doctor sends the patient for computed tomography and magnetic resonance therapy.
In addition, the treating doctor should pay attention to signs and symptoms. The consequences of a tailbone fracture are not encouraging, because the injury grows for a very long time, and there is a chance of relapse.
First aid
As soon as you find damage, it is necessary to immediately appear to the traumatologist. Before the brigade arrives, first aid should be provided to the victim. This will greatly facilitate his condition.
So, what should be done when such situations arise:
- First, put the patient on a horizontal surface sideways. This is necessary in order to avoid choking on the vomit in case of loss of consciousness;
- then it is necessary to fix the position from the sides, you can put more clothes rollers from below to ensure a natural position without stress on the tailbone;
- provided that the patient is conscious and the swallowing reflex is not broken, you can give an anesthetic drug;
- to reduce puffiness, attach dry ice to the fracture site;
- you need to constantly monitor the respiratory organs, keep in mind that sometimes the tongue sinks;
- if the patient is unconscious and does not breathe, proceed with indirect heart massage and artificial respiration;
- if it is necessary to transport the patient, this should be done face down, after applying tires to damaged areas of the spine.
If all actions are performed according to the algorithm before the arrival of the team of doctors, there is a good chance of a favorable outcome. How to treat a tailbone fracture? Let's talk below.
Treatment methods
Often, traumatologists choose a conservative method of therapy, surgical intervention is used much less often. Consider the main methods of traditional treatment:
- Injection of painkillers. Analgesics like Ketorolac and Lornoxicam are usually prescribed. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Analgin, Ibuprofen) are also considered effective. If the situation is very difficult, the doctor prescribes narcotic painkillers.
- Bed rest. The injured person is placed on a hard couch in a downward position for the first week. After seven days, it is possible to turn over on the back, but only if the roller is substituted for the coccyx. Only after a month, at least the patient will be allowed to get up briefly, wearing a corset.
- Droppers with saline and glucose.
Treatment of coccyx fracture with surgery is used in complicated situations, for example, if there is an injury with displacement or damage to the spinal cord. A qualified surgeon is able to correct vertebral deformities, remove a fragment of the tailbone, eliminate fragments. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. Excision of the coccyx can only be prescribed if the patient complains of local pain. Surgical intervention is a rather risky step, because it can cause disability.
Recovery
The rehabilitation period lasts from about one and a half to two months and is carried out simultaneously with treatment. In other words, as soon as the doctor allows you to move, you must begin to perform certain measures. Consider the main ones:
- Physiotherapy. There is a set of special exercises designed for patients with spinal fractures. With it, you can prevent the occurrence of pressure sores, tone the muscles, normalize metabolism and restore blood circulation. You need to start from a prone position, as you recover, the number of repetitions in the exercises increases. It is worth noting that with a fracture of the coccyx, physiotherapy exercises are prescribed by the attending physician.
- Massage. A great option as an additional therapy. Massage is aimed at relaxing and treating areas of the body adjacent to the damaged. It is better to entrust the conduct of this procedure to a professional, then the result will not be long in coming.
- Physiotherapy. Almost always, the doctor first prescribes electrophoresis and paraffin baths. Further, the number of events increases, myostimulation and magnetotherapy are necessarily added. And finally, to consolidate the effect is usually entrusted with hirudotherapy and balneological procedures.
- Stimulating bowel movement. So that there is no displacement of the tailbone elements, it is recommended that the first week cause the bowel movement with an enema. This method will not cause negative consequences, but only benefit.
- Diet. A diet is very important when taking a recovery course. It is recommended to consume foods with calcium. These include cottage cheese, hazelnuts, persimmons. For better absorption of calcium, do not forget about products with the presence of silicon in the composition: olives, radishes, currants, cabbage.
Fracture lifestyle
The patient must first of all psychologically prepare for a long and debilitating treatment. At the time of recovery, it is prescribed to strictly adhere to bed rest. In addition, you must follow all the recommendations of your doctor, physiotherapist, and adjust your diet.
After a month, the victim will gradually merge into his usual life. However, there will still be a restriction on overly active sports. In addition, with such an injury, it is impossible to perform heavy physical work throughout the year. To slightly reduce the level of pain, you can purchase an orthopedic pillow and put it under the tailbone. If you have once suffered such an injury, you must periodically visit a doctor for prevention.
Complications
The consequences of a tailbone fracture can be prevented if the injury was not serious and the necessary medical care was provided. In other cases, you can only hope for good luck. In any case, if you act according to the recommendations of doctors, the risk of additional diseases is significantly reduced.
The most common consequences are migraine, problems with delivery, spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders, bone marrow formation, accompanied by painful sitting.
As for prevention, you need to be very careful and accurate. Preventing falls will reduce the likelihood of injury. Do not forget about proper nutrition, this way you can increase bone strength. If you add here a complex of special exercises, the effect will be simply amazing. In this article, we examined the symptoms and consequences of a tailbone fracture in women and men. Now you know what to do when you get injured and how to treat it.