Stamford
Most tailbone injuries result in pain and bruising, but there may be fractures or broken bones in rare cases. Anyone with a broken tailbone experiences pain from actions such as leaning back while seated, prolonged sitting, sexual intercourse, and urination. There are several treatment options to alleviate the pain, but surgical removal of a portion or all of the coccyx is best if you experience persistent pain.
It’s crucial to seek help from a professional spine and back specialist in Stamford, CT, for accurate diagnosis, tailbone surgery, and monitoring during recovery. At CT Spine & Orthopedic, our Stamford tailbone surgery team is composed of board-certified and experienced neurologists, physicians, neurosurgeons, and orthopedic specialists for the best possible results. Meanwhile, here’s more information about coccygectomy that you need to know.
A broken tailbone is usually caused by a backward fall on a hard surface, such as ice or a slippery floor, and car accidents. It may also result from pregnancy and difficulty in childbirth. Other factors that may cause a broken tailbone include the following:
A tailbone may be broken in three different ways. It can be displaced, have a hairline fracture, or be comminuted. A displaced tailbone is usually separated from the bone fragment, as seen in an X-ray exam. Hairline fractures are usually broken bones that are not separated, while a comminuted hairline means that the tailbone is broken into multiple pieces.
Some of the symptoms indicating a broken tailbone include:
Please note that a broken or bruised coccyx may heal on its own. However, your doctor may recommend a coccygectomy if the pain is severe and you experience pain with urination and bowel movement.
Orthopedic or spinal surgeons perform coccygectomy under general anesthesia. There are several other steps in this treatment. Here’s what you should expect:
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and X-rays to assess and diagnose your pain. This will help them determine whether other factors are causing the pain. This also confirms whether the tailbone is broken since you may experience similar symptoms when bruised.
In a physical examination, the doctor will feel the soft tissue around the coccyx and sacrum (lower spine). Any sign of new bone growth or bone spicule may be the source of the pain. A doctor will also assess whether your pain results from tumors, pelvic muscle spasms, and ingrown hair cysts.
Tailbone surgery starts with the administration of intravenous anesthesia by the anesthesiologist. The surgeon will then clean and make an incision directly over the coccyx to remove it. They will then smoothen the end of your sacrum or bone to which the coccyx is attached and close the wound with stitches. The surgeon may place a small drain if needed.
Your Stamford broken tail bone surgeon will monitor for vital signs in the recovery room and administer painkillers. You may also spend more time in the hospital for further monitoring. However, you may regain your normal mobility on the same day. Your wound’s dressing will also be changed every two days, while the sutures are removed after a fortnight.
Your doctor may prescribe pain medication according to the severity of your pain and discomfort. If it continues many weeks after the surgery, you should buy a gel-filled cushion to help you ease the pain. Leaning forward while sitting can also help you deal with the discomfort. You can also lessen the discomfort by sleeping on a firm mattress, on your side, with a pillow between your knees, or on your back with a pillow beneath your knees.
It’s rare to have a broken tailbone. However, it can be painful once it occurs, needing immediate treatment. A tailbone surgery or coccygectomy is not the first treatment that your doctor will suggest. They only decide on this approach if the tailbone fails to heal and the pain persists. This calls for a thorough diagnosis to determine the extent and nature of the injury and decide whether surgery may be the best option.
At CT Spine & Orthopedic, we’re a top treatment center that performs coccygectomy or tailbone surgery. Our team of Stamford coccygectomy experts will carefully diagnose your symptoms to assess the damage to your tailbone and recommend the best treatment. If you need surgery, rest assured that our skilled experts will offer the best service. For more information about our service or coccygectomy, please don’t hesitate to call us at (866) 553-0612 or fill out our contact form. Our Concierge Team can also help you manage your appointments and medical records.
