Coccyx Fracture (Tailbone Fracture
- Broken Tailbone)
Pronounced: cox-ix
Definition
A coccyx fracture is a
broken tailbone. The coccyx is the lowest part of the backbone or spine. It is small, triangular in shape, and consists of four fused vertebra, or spine bones. Normally, it has a little bit of movement and curves gently from the end of the spine into the pelvis.
Broken Tailbone Causes
Causes of coccyx fracture include:
- Falling on the buttocks. Skating and other activities that lead to falls in the seated position often contribute.
- During birth, newborns can break their coccyx going through the birth canal.
Broken Tailbone Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Pain that increases with sitting or getting up from a chair
- Pain that increases during a bowel movement
- Bruising or swelling
- Tenderness over the tailbone
SOURCES:
Paul and Juhl's Essentials of Radiologic Imaging, 7th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1998.
Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice, 4th ed. Mosby-Year Book, Inc, 1998.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Last reviewed September 2001 by Medical Review Board
