What to do if there is a crack on the coccyx. Signs of a crack in the coccyx after a fall. How to distinguish a fracture of the coccyx from a bruise

In its structure, the coccyx is an element consisting of fused vertebrae. Muscles and ligaments are attached to it, holding the organs of the genitourinary system and loops of the large intestine in the correct anatomical position. Bunches of the gluteus maximus muscle are also attached to it. The coccyx serves as a fulcrum when tilting the body back. It helps to redistribute the physical load on the pelvic structure. It is not difficult to injure this part, the symptoms of a coccyx fissure after a fall immediately make themselves felt.

Causes of a crack in the coccyx

The most common cause of coccyx injury is a fall on the buttocks.

A sharp landing on the buttocks is not the only factor that can provoke a violation of the integrity of the described spine.

In women, the appearance of characteristic lesions becomes possible during difficult childbirth: the passage of a large fetus through the birth canal quite often causes displacement of the sacrococcygeal joint. In such a situation, his bones may crack.

The appearance of a crack in the elderly happens due to the development of osteoporosis or a lack of nutrients with a poor diet.

Long-term monotonous impact of shock or vibrating force on the coccyx area is considered dangerous: driving with shaking, certain working conditions.

At risk are athletes who are fond of winter sports, road users, patients who have previously been diagnosed with a spinal fracture.

Classification and clinical manifestations

When injuring the coccyx, you can get different injuries: sprain and rupture of ligaments, bruise, subluxation and dislocation, fracture without displacement and with it. Crack is a common occurrence. In medicine, this term refers to an unfinished fracture. He can be:

vertical - is formed with excessive flexion and extension of the body;
horizontal - appears when falling on the buttocks;
oblique - formed due to an impact made at an angle.

With long and frequent cycling or horseback riding, multiple microcracks often appear. Regardless of the cause of the appearance, the described injury causes a person to experience severe pain. They arise at the bottom of the spine, spill into the pelvis, intensify in a sitting or lying position.

When a crack appears in the coccyx, it becomes painful to walk. Discomfort is aggravated during bowel movements and with tension of the muscles of the small pelvis. In the area of injury, the skin turns red and becomes swollen. A hematoma forms on the surface of the cover. Similar manifestations are characteristic of other injuries of the lower spine. An ordinary person cannot independently understand what is happening to him. Only a traumatologist or surgeon is able to determine the nature of the injury.

Diagnosis and treatment

To determine the type of injury, you need to contact an orthopedic traumatologist. At the first examination, he collects an anamnesis and palpates the diseased area. This allows you to identify pathological mobility, points of pain and the presence of muscle tension. Due to the similarity of the clinical picture of a bruise and sprain, cracks and fractures, it is imperative to take an x-ray. It is performed in two projections. If this procedure is ineffective, an MRI is prescribed. In the presence of a hematoma, ultrasound of the surrounding soft tissues becomes justified, with the help of which other internal injuries can be excluded.

First aid

If a lower spine injury is suspected, care should be taken before the doctor arrives. The patient must be laid in a horizontal position so that the coccyx area does not come into contact with anything - on the side or on the stomach. Experts recommend applying ice or a cold heating pad to the injury site. With unbearable pain, you can give an analgesic, be sure to write down the name and dosage.

Therapy Methods

When confirming the diagnosis, the patient is shown bed rest. He should spend all the time of treatment in a position on his stomach or on his side on a hard couch. You can roll over on your back if you first put a rubber protective circle under the lower sections of the spine. Any wrong movement can lead to the fact that the crack will turn into a fracture.

You can't bother. For the implementation of defecation, patients need to do enemas. This bowel movement reduces the load on the pelvic muscles.

Proper nutrition contributes to rapid recovery. The diet should contain foods that contain calcium and silicon, which are necessary for bone fusion. Greens, fish, hazelnuts, cabbage, cheese, cottage cheese, currants, radishes and cauliflower are rich in these trace elements.

To eliminate pain, doctors prescribe analgesics: Diclofenac, Meloxicam, Ketoprofen. To enhance the effect, sometimes injections are given simultaneously and ointments and creams are used. If a crack in the coccyx appeared as a result of internal changes, etiotropic treatment is carried out, aimed at eliminating the cause of the formation of the described defect.

rehabilitation period

After the acute period is over, the therapeutic regimen must include:

physiotherapy exercises: a specially designed complex helps to improve tissue trophism, prevent the appearance of bedsores, increase muscle tone, restore blood microcirculation where it has been disturbed;
massage: properly selected techniques help to relax the zones located next to the injured area;
physiotherapy procedures: at the first stage, paraffin applications, electrophoresis with calcium, nicotinic acid and aminophylline, at the second stage, UVR, UHF, magnetotherapy;
hirudotherapy and balneological procedures consolidate the therapeutic result.

The crack heals in one to two months. During this period, it is strictly forbidden to take hot baths, sharp turns of the body, jumping, active sports, the use of ointments with a warming effect.

Possible complications and consequences

Any cracks must be treated, otherwise there is a risk of post-traumatic coccygodynia. It is characterized by the presence of constant chronic pain: dull or aching, stabbing or shooting. The syndrome is always aggravated by palpation of the injured area. At the same time, the person turns very pale, he periodically sweats.

Limited movement is gradually formed, the gait changes, it becomes difficult to sit and bend over. The condition worsens with the appearance of a feeling of heaviness in the sacro-vertebral region. A neglected pathology is difficult to treat. Coccygodynia may not appear immediately: a week or a year after the injury.

Patients after fissure treatment often complain of migraine. Women in the future may have problems with childbirth. Another unpleasant complication is the formation of callus. If it is present in a sitting position, a person always has discomfort.

Prevention and prognosis

The ability to fall correctly is the best prevention of the described defect. If you lose your balance, do not fall on your back. We need to group up and roll. Experts advise training at home using soft mats.

You need to constantly strengthen the immune system, eat right. Some foods contain elements that make cartilage and bones stronger. If it is not possible to constantly control your diet, you can take dietary supplements twice a year, which contain calcium and vitamin D. Such measures will not avoid injury, but will help prevent cracks due to malfunctions inside the body. It is important to observe safety precautions when riding in vehicles and on horseback.

If there are signs of an injury to the lower part of the spine, it is necessary to seek help from specialists in a timely manner, to achieve the correct diagnosis and the appointment of adequate treatment. Compliance with the recommendations of the attending physician will prevent the occurrence of undesirable consequences. This is the only way to maintain health without wasting time.

When falling back on the buttocks or landing on the heels when jumping from a height, a person can get injured on the coccyx. During the examination, it can be revealed that a crack has appeared in the coccyx. After such an injury, it is necessary to change the lifestyle, it is possible to accelerate the healing process of tissues by following all the recommendations of doctors.

A fracture of the coccyx from its crack in symptoms practically does not differ. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by taking an x-ray.. With a crack, it will be seen that the organic integrity of the bone is broken, but there are no fragments.

After bruising the coccyx, as a result of which it cracked, the patient has the following symptoms:

increasing pain in the lower part of the spine, which makes it difficult to lie down, walk, sit;
the appearance of swelling, bruising, redness at the site of impact (occurs a few hours after the injury);
lack of bowel movements for several days after the injury.

When trying to sit, stand, bend over, a person may feel a sharp pain.

Some patients also have other signs of a crack in the coccyx: within a few hours after the injury, the temperature may rise, chills may appear. This condition is typical for cases when soft tissues that surround the rectum are involved in the aseptic inflammatory process. Also, as a result of an injury, it may occur.

Women and the elderly are more prone to tailbone injuries. In patients older than 60-70 years, bone density changes due to calcium leaching, even a slight blow can cause cracks. In women, the sacral spine is more mobile than in men, so the likelihood of injury to the coccyx is higher.

Types of injuries

Traumatologists distinguish several types of fissures of the coccygeal bone:

vertical - appears with an increased impact force in the process of flexion and extension of the muscles of the sacral spine;
horizontal - occurs when falling on the buttocks;
oblique - occurs with an oblique blow to the coccyx.

Injuries to the gluteal region do not always provoke the appearance of a crack in the coccyx; the symptoms characteristic of this injury can also occur with a fracture or dislocation of the coccygeal bone.

An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a traumatologist after evaluating the results of an x-ray. You can distinguish a crack from a fracture if you know that cracks never reach from one edge of the bone to the other (more details about). Not always the cause of the formation of a crack are shocks or falls. It can appear during complicated childbirth or as a result of age-related changes associated with a decrease in bone density.

How to determine - a fracture, bruise or crack

All injuries of the sacral spine are accompanied by severe pain. When the sacrum is fractured, the patient develops a hematoma, severe edema. When walking, a creaking sound occurs, which doctors call crepitus. The reason for its appearance is the friction of bone fragments against each other.

With bruises, the pain subsides quickly. This type of injury does not threaten any complications in the future.

Coccyx cracks after a fall provoke the appearance of a pronounced pain syndrome, swelling of the surrounding soft tissues. Even without treatment, some patients improve within a few days. But the danger of such injuries lies in the fact that in the future a person with damage to the coccyx will suffer from pain in the sacral area, perineum. In women, discomfort is often observed during sexual intercourse.

Therefore, with spinal injuries, you cannot wait until the condition returns to normal, you need to see a doctor. The doctor will examine the affected area, if a crack or fracture is suspected, he will send for an x-ray. If it is difficult to determine the nature of the damage from the obtained radiograph, then the traumatologist may recommend an MRI or CT scan.

What to do before the ambulance arrives

In case of bruising of the sacral region as a result of a fall or injury with a blunt object, it is advisable to lie on the stomach or side. It is undesirable for the damaged area to come into contact with a hard surface. Cold should be applied to the coccyx projection.

It is possible to reduce the pain syndrome, the appearance of which causes a crack in the coccyx, with the help of analgesics. No need to try, only a doctor can do this.

How to treat

Therapy should be started for a fissure of the coccygeal bone only after an accurate diagnosis. Doctors recommend bed rest for patients with such an injury. You should lie on your stomach or on your sides. To sit on your back, you need to put a donut-shaped pillow under the buttocks. The recommended duration of bed rest is at least 10 days.

Healing will go faster if, during the treatment of a fissure of the coccyx, the likelihood of displacement of the bones or the appearance of new injuries to the sacral region is minimized. But you should not count on a quick recovery, improvements begin to appear no earlier than 2 weeks after the injury.

Medicines

Patients who have developed a fissure due to coccyx injury are advised to use anti-inflammatory painkillers. The most commonly prescribed are Diclofenac, Meloxicam, Ketoprofen. For severe pain, Tramadol may be prescribed. Some patients periodically do novocaine blockades, but they are recommended to be repeated no more than 1 time in 3 days.

You can ease the process of bowel movement and minimize pain during bowel movements with the help of mild laxatives. Some advise doing enemas, this allows you to minimize the load on the muscles of the pelvic floor and sphincter and prevent further divergence of the crack. With attempts, there is a risk of complete.

To accelerate the restoration of bone integrity, it is recommended to take calcium supplements in combination with vitamin D3.

Ointments

In the absence of lesions on the skin, pain and swelling can be reduced by applying topical anti-inflammatory drugs to the affected area. The doctor may recommend the use of Fastum gel, Diclofenac ointment, Fanigan Fast gel.

Is an operation needed

Patients who have broken the integrity of the coccygeal bone, surgical treatment is not prescribed. With a timely visit to the doctor and the implementation of all recommendations, damaged tissues are restored on their own.

The operation may be necessary only for patients with a fracture in whom the segments of the coccyx have begun to grow together incorrectly.

Food

foods rich in calcium - cottage cheese, cheese, kefir, butter;
fruits, vegetables containing silicon, to improve the absorption of calcium - broccoli, peas, cauliflower, persimmons, currants, radishes, beans;
nuts, greens;
marine and freshwater fish;
bread made from wholemeal flour with the addition of bran.

The diet is formed in such a way that the maximum amount of nutrients, vitamins, minerals enters the body with food. To normalize bowel function and prevent constipation, you need to drink enough water.

ethnoscience

Fans of alternative methods of treatment recommend that patients who have a coccyx fissure lubricate the skin located above the coccyx area with iodine 2-3 times a week in the evening. After that, the area of the sacrum must be wrapped up and go to bed. After 1.5-2 months of such procedures, the pain disappears.

Lotions on the coccyx from Vishnevsky's ointment have proven themselves well. She needs to generously lubricate the sponge or rag, attach it to the problem area and cover it with cellophane on top. It will take 3-5 days to reduce swelling and eliminate discomfort.

To get rid of pain after bruises, it is advised to use a tincture prepared from this mixture:

300 ml of medical alcohol;
10 tablets of Analgin, crushed to a powder;
10 ml of camphor alcohol;
10 ml of iodine.

The tincture is prepared for 3 weeks in a dark place. After a few days of rubbing it into the problem area, the pain disappears.

If, on the advice of traditional healers, you use a resin ointment, then the crack will heal faster. To prepare a healing agent, you need to take:

20 g resin;
medium-sized onion, pre-chopped in a meat grinder;
50 g olive oil;
15 g of copper sulfate.

These components must be mixed and heated in a saucepan over low heat. Warm ointment is applied to the coccyx area. It may cause a slight burning sensation.

Rehabilitation

10-12 days after the injury, a callus forms on the coccyx. As soon as it begins to form, traumatologists recommend starting rehabilitation. It should be aimed at accelerating the restoration of bone tissues and increasing the physiological tone of the ligaments and pelvic muscles. Sometimes it may occur.

The doctor may prescribe:

reflexology- starts the process of bone tissue healing;
massage, osteopathy- improves microcirculation of lymph and blood in the problem area;
- improves the condition of ligaments, muscles, tendons;
hirudotherapy - restores blood flow.

As an auxiliary method of treatment, it is recommended to use physiotherapy, under its action the bone grows together faster. Most often, UHF, electrophoresis, procedures with the Darsonval apparatus are prescribed. To prevent the development of complications, you need to sleep on your stomach during this period.

Orthopedic pillow

With the help of an orthopedic pillow, you can reduce pain and speed up the healing process. When using this device, the coccyx does not come into contact with hard surfaces, so discomfort is minimized.

Prevention

You can minimize the risk of fractures and the appearance of cracks in the coccyx if you follow the recommendations of doctors. For the prevention of bone fractures, it is advised:

exclude fatty foods, canned food from the diet;
train the muscles of the legs, pelvis, back;
strengthen bones by taking calcium supplements and vitamin D;
be careful when riding horses, cycling, walking on slippery roads;
at home, on a soft rug or mat, train to fall correctly;
avoid hazardous activities.

If discomfort appears in the coccyx area, it is better to see a doctor. People with osteoporosis don't need a lot of impact to cause a fracture or crack—brittle bones can be damaged with minimal impact.

Consequences and complications

Feeling pain in the coccygeal region, it is necessary to consult a traumatologist. Even minor cracks without adherence to the regimen and treatment can become fractures. The condition may worsen with physical exertion, sitting, trying to use the toilet.

Cracks are the cause of coccygodynia - a pronounced pain syndrome in the anorectal zone. Pain occurs when activated in a place where the coccygeal bone has cracked. With the development of coccygodynia, blood vessels spasm, sweating increases, the skin turns pale. The patient increases nervousness, develops a depressive state.

Among the complications of the coccygeal fissure are the following:

osteomyelitis is an infectious lesion of the bones, antibiotic therapy is prescribed for its treatment, this complication can even lead to disability;
numbness, paresis, paralysis of the legs;
development of spastic or functional constipation due to disruption of the large intestine;
the appearance of problems with the functioning of the sphincter of the bladder;
violation of posture due to the redistribution of the load;
omission of internal organs as a result of weakening of the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Any injury to the coccyx can cause delayed consequences. If treatment is refused and the need for rehabilitation is ignored, patients may suffer from pain for the rest of their lives. The most common cause of their appearance is the subluxation of the process, which arose due to weakened muscles, tendons, ligaments of the pelvic region.

When falling on the buttocks, you can get. Often the coccyx is damaged with the formation of a crack, as well as the soft tissues adjacent to it. The symptoms of a coccyx fissure in women and men do not differ, but in the fair sex they are more common due to the structural features of the sacrococcygeal region.

Collapse

Symptoms and signs

According to statistics, children, the elderly and women are subject to trauma to the coccyx. Toddlers often fall, in people with age, bone density changes due to calcium leaching. In women, the frequency of trauma is due to the increased mobility of the coccygeal region. It is necessary for labor activity. Also by the fact that when women fall, they fall to the fifth point, unlike men.

If a person has well-developed muscles, strong bones, physical impact of insufficient strength, then the coccyx injury ends with a crack. Such a pathological formation does not lead to the division of the whole into parts. The next step is fracture.

A crack on the coccyx is formed from various physical effects, and has several varieties:

The increased force in flexion and extension leads to the formation of a vertical crack.
When falling on the buttocks, a horizontal injury occurs.
If the fall was at an angle, the person receives oblique damage.

Signs of a coccyx fissure are pronounced, it is impossible not to notice them. They appear as follows:

Increasing pain in the coccyx, sacrum, which does not allow to sit, lie down, walk, bend over.
At the site of the lesion, swelling, redness, bruising.
Pain during defecation.
Over time, pain occurs when walking.

A person feels such symptoms with other injuries in the lower back. A bruise, dislocation, fracture or crack of the coccyx is accompanied by pain. But with a fracture, a hematoma, edema and a characteristic creak called crepitus are added to a severe pain syndrome. The creaking causes friction of bone fragments against each other.

With a crack, soreness quickly passes, because the pathological formation does not cause bone mobility. But her insidiousness lies in the fact that she will remind of herself in the future with pains in the coccyx, perineum, during sexual contact.

This will occur if the injury is not identified and treated immediately. In the future, an inflammatory process is formed at the site of the crack, to which edema, hematoma, and an increase in temperature are added.

It is impossible to determine the nature of the injury on your own. The symptoms point to the place that has received the physical impact. Only a doctor can assess the degree of damage and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Reasons for the appearance

Trauma to the coccyx, which results in a crack, occurs for the following reasons:

falling on the buttocks as a result of winter sports;
a blow with a blunt object to the lower back during a fight;
injury in an accident;
a ride on the bicycle;
complication with dislocation or displacement of the coccyx itself;
lack of substances that improve bone structure;
age-related changes;
complicated childbirth.

Regardless of the cause of the crack on the coccyx, after a fall or injury, it is accompanied by severe pain.

Diagnostic methods

It is important to correctly diagnose a crack in the coccyx, as its symptoms are similar to other injuries (bruise, dislocation). This depends on the treatment strategy. To detect pathological formation, the following methods are used:

External examination of the patient.
Examination of the lesion site from the outside (palpation).
Rectal examination.
X-ray examination from three sides (straight back, side, oblique projection).

After examining the results of the X-ray image, the doctor can make a diagnosis. If the data is not enough, an additional check is carried out:

CT and MRI;
sphincterometry;
balloonography.

When all diagnostic techniques confirm the presence of a crack, the doctor will prescribe treatment.

What to do before the ambulance arrives?

Treatment of the victim begins even before the arrival of the ambulance. What to do if there is a crack in the coccyx? Proceed as follows:

The patient is placed on the stomach or side so that the injured area does not come into contact with a hard surface.
Ice is applied to the painful area.
Painkillers are given to reduce pain.

The patient needs to be in a horizontal position, occasionally changing position, turning face up, so that damage to the skin (bedsores) does not form. At this time, you need to put a circle under the buttocks with a hole in the middle.

How to treat?

Treatment of a fissure in the sacrococcygeal region begins after the diagnosis is made. In the initial period, it is important to observe bed rest face down. Turn carefully without injuring the affected area. Otherwise, the injury will turn into a fracture.

Medicines

All measures in the acute period are aimed at stabilizing the patient's condition. To relieve pain appoint:

Enemas or laxatives - to facilitate bowel movements.
Painkillers - Diclofenac, Ketoprofen, Tramadol, Meloxicam.
Preparations for topical application of anti-inflammatory action, if there is no damage to the skin - Fastum gel, Diclofenac ointment, Fanigan fast gel.
Novocaine blockade 1 time in three days - with a strong pain syndrome.

The duration of pain is from 2 weeks to 2 months, and depends on the severity of the injury.

Operations

Treatment of a crack on the coccyx by surgery is a rare occurrence. If the patient sees a doctor in time and accurately follows the recommendations for treatment, the injury will heal without complications, consequences and harm to the body.

Food

During treatment, you need to eat right and include in the diet:

Dairy products - to replenish the body with calcium (kefir, cottage cheese, milk, butter).
Vegetables and fruits - with a silicon content for better absorption of calcium (beans, peas, radishes, broccoli, currants, cauliflower, olives, persimmons).
Greens, nuts - for obtaining vitamins, trace elements.
Wholemeal bread with bran.
Consume plenty of clean water to improve bowel function.

Rehabilitation

After the patient feels better, the doctor prescribes physiotherapeutic measures for a complete recovery. They include:

physiotherapy - electrophoresis, UHF, dorsonval;
therapeutic exercises - special exercises strengthen muscles;
massage course - to relax muscle tissue;
treatment with leeches - restores blood flow.

Prevention

Preventive measures to prevent a crack in the coccyx are aimed at:

strengthening bones by taking dietary supplements containing trace elements (calcium, silicon, magnesium, fluorine), vitamin D;
revision of the menu, the exclusion of fatty, smoked, canned foods;
the inclusion of physical activity to train the muscles of the legs and back;
exercise caution while cycling, long trips by car, on a horse;
contacting a doctor with discomfort and pain in the coccyx and nearby organs;
training the ability to fall correctly at home on the rug;
avoid injury and injury.

What is dangerous?

An untreated crack in the coccyx will eventually manifest itself with pain attacks. The patient will long forget that he once had a bruise from a fall on the buttocks or a blow to the lower back. A gradual increase in the load on healthy sections of the spine will lead to a deterioration in the condition of the area with a crack.

There will be unbearable pain with any movement and in a sitting position. This pain syndrome is called. Occurs as a result of complications in the area of the crack. It is characterized by the formation of an inflammatory process.

During an attack of pain, the patient experiences a spasm of blood vessels, which leads to sweating and pale skin. This pathology causes depression, increased nervousness. The complication requires long-term treatment with preliminary diagnosis.

A complication of trauma to the coccyx with the formation of a crack is the development of osteomyelitis. This is an infectious disease of the bones that requires long-term treatment with a course of antibiotics. Often this complication leads to disability of the patient.

Conclusion

Spinal injuries cannot be classified as mild or complex. All of them require close attention and timely treatment. A crack in the coccyx is no exception. This will protect the body from serious complications and long-term rehabilitation.

There is no such person in the world who has never been somehow injured. Some people do not even fully know the concept of injury, so they do not pay attention to many things, without thinking about what consequences such a negligent attitude towards themselves and their health can bring later. Here is one of those injuredcrack in the coccyxwhich will have dire consequences.

The frequency of falls on the softest point of our body is probably the highest. And in half of the cases, such falls lead to not the most pleasant pictures, because often this leads to traumatization. These injuries can be divided into several types: sprains, bruises, dislocations, subluxations, cracks, fractures.

A severe injury is considered a crack in the coccyx, as it can lead to a complete fracture. It creates discomfort, but it is very difficult to identify it on its own, so you have to turn to specialists who prescribe the necessary studies to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

There are three types of cracks:

vertical;
horizontal;
oblique.

Coccyx fissure: symptoms

Coccyx fissure or a microcrack will almost immediately manifest itself as a sharp pain in the coccyx area. Not every person can understand the cause of pain in the lower back. When this happens due to a strong fall or blow, it is understandable, but if it happened by accident, and then pain appears, you should consult a doctor, he will examine and tell the diagnosis.

But there are a number of symptoms that can help suggest a diagnosis before seeing a doctor. When walking, in a sitting position, lying on your back, pain intensifies in the area that has been injured, because of this, walking is disturbed, it becomes harder, hyperemia of the skin, swelling, hematomas, pain that radiates to the lower extremities, and temperature also appears.

First aid

Before the victim is given symptomatic treatment, first aid must be provided to alleviate his condition. At the scene of the incident, the victim must be placed so as not to create unnecessary pressure, to limit the movement of the victim.

It is necessary to choose a place, lay it either on the stomach or on its side. If possible, apply ice to the injury site, after wrapping it in some kind of cloth. It is also necessary to give the victim an anesthetic tablet - "Analgin", "Ibuprofen", and wait for the ambulance to arrive.

Diagnostics

Of course, it is clear that correct diagnosis and conservative treatment will be beneficial. If a person comes with complaints of pain in the coccyx, then first the doctor must examine the patient, palpate, then a rectal examination is performed, it shows the severity of the damage to the coccyx. An obligatory item in the diagnosis of a crack is an x-ray.

After that, the doctor receives the pictures, examines them and decides whether the diagnosis is enough to make a diagnosis. If not, then additional examinations are prescribed: MRI, sphincterometry, balloonography. After the doctor is convinced of the correctness of the diagnosis and prescribes the appropriate treatment.

Treatment

A hospitalized patient with this type of injury is primarily assigned to bed rest, lying on his stomach. It is allowed sometimes to change the position in order to avoid the formation of bedsores, the patient's position changes either on his side or on his back, but laying a circle.

Crack in tailbonerequires to reduce the load on the muscles of the pelvic floor, sphincter. This is done with an enema, because then the act of defecation is much easier, which helps to avoid the transition of the crack into a complete fracture.

Proper nutrition is prescribed for a patient with a fissure. It is necessary that the bones grow together, recover, calcium contributes to this. Scientists have proven that silicon will help calcium to be better absorbed, so doctors recommend eating foods containing it - radishes, currants. It is recommended to consume other vitamins as well.

From symptomatic therapy, symptomatic drugs are prescribed - analgesics, ointments. It is forbidden to use the ointment if not only the coccyx, but also the skin was damaged during the injury. Assign "Ketoprofen", "Diclofenac", "Ibuprofen". If such medications are ineffective, novocaine blockades can be administered.

After the elimination of acute symptoms, rehabilitation therapy is prescribed. When the treatment is effective, the patient's health is fully restored in a month and a half.

Consequences and complications

Since the coccyx is part of the spine, the consequences can be very different.Coccyx fissure symptomsmanifests itself in different ways, and if you do not pay attention to it immediately, then this is fraught with consequences. Symptoms should be treated immediately, otherwise coccygodynia may occur. It is manifested by the appearance of a sharp pain in the lumbar region, back, legs, for example, when trying to sit down, bend over or lie down. Even the smallest load on the spine causes unbearable pain, it hurts almost all the time, and the peculiarity of this complication is that it can occur after a long period after the injury, so the person will not know what his suffering is connected with. The complication is being treated for a longer time, leading to the patient's depression and an increased level of anxiety.

There are also cases of osteomyelitis in the coccyx. It is also possible that with an insufficient amount of vitamins and minerals, the injured bone will begin to disintegrate, then a person can remain in a wheelchair for life.

The spine plays a significant role in human health. It is from him that many nerves are innervated, the inflammation of which will cause the inflammation of other organs to fail. It is important to maintain all sections of the spine in a healthy condition, because if any section suffers, problems with the heart, kidneys, urinary system, circulatory, hormonal and others appear.

Prevention

Of course, firstly, you need to try to avoid injuries in the coccyx area. We need to take a closer look at our children, who are so fond of skiing down the hills in winter, and jumping and running in summer in places where it is quite dangerous to get injured. A good solution would be to learn how to fall correctly. In no case should you fall on your back, if balance is lost, it is better to group up, roll onto your back.

Proper footwear, selected in winter, attentiveness and caution will also help to avoid injury.

It is important to follow the safety rules for horseback riding, skating, and other sports.

In order to strengthen your bones, it would be good to buy yourself a complex of vitamins at least once every three months, as well as monitor your diet, add some foods that contain calcium and silicon to your food.

If it happened that someone fell, it is better to immediately call an ambulance, prescribe treatment on time as needed, then avoiding completely undesirable consequences and complications.

(3 ratings, average: 5,00 out of 5)

A fall on the fifth can cause damage to any part of the body, but most often it is the coccyx and the soft tissues around it. According to statistics, women, children, as well as the elderly most of all go to medical institutions with coccyx injuries. Toddlers often fall, women have special pelvic anatomy, and the elderly have reduced bone density, which contributes to injury.

The coccyx is several vertebrae of the sacrococcygeal junction that have grown together. Muscles and ligaments are attached to the coccyx, it plays a role in the proper functioning of the genitourinary system, fixes the loops of the large intestine. This is its functional purpose. The integrity of the coccygeal section is violated by injuries sustained during falls. Often there are cracks in the coccyx, less often fractures. The coccyx is an undeveloped lower spine, which, when injured, creates a lot of pain and trouble for a person.

Reasons for getting a tailbone fracture:

Winter period of time;
Some sports (hockey, figure skating);
Age-related changes in the body;
Abstinence from food (lack of nutrients);
Difficult childbirth;
Re-injury;
Severe physical impact (accident).

Falls often cause injury to the coccyx area. All damage to the department that a person can receive is as follows:

Sprain or rupture of ligaments;
Injury;
dislocation and subluxation;
Fracture without displacement and with it;
Crack;
A combination of the above types.

Crack or fracture?

Pathological formation - such a definition of a crack in the bone can often be found. A crack is an unfinished fracture. There are three types of coccyx cracks:

Vertical. Associated with excessive flexion, extension;
Horizontal. Appears when falling on the buttocks;
oblique. Occurs when falling at an angle.

The formation of a crack in the coccygeal region occurs as a result of a blow, fall, bruise or injury. Regardless of the cause of the appearance, a crack brings a person a sharp pain in the lower spine.

Microfractures of the coccyx can occur during prolonged cycling, as well as when hitting the buttocks. Often a person cannot independently determine the cause of pain around the coccyx. Only a doctor establishes the true source of the appearance of unpleasant sensations. However, there are some symptoms that may indicate a diagnosis before a doctor's examination. Damage to the tailbone is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Increasing pain in the sacrum and coccyx (in the sitting position and lying on the back);
Difficulty walking;
redness;
Edema and hematomas;
Pain that radiates to the legs;
Deterioration of the general condition.

It is worth remembering that the symptoms only indicate the area where the injury occurred, but do not give the right to claim the severity of the damage. You can mistakenly take a crack for a dislocation or a simple bruise. Establishing the degree of cracks can only be done by a specialist with the help of special equipment. Diagnosis should be carried out by an experienced doctor, as any mistake can lead to complications.

Diagnosis and treatment

Treatment is given after the patient has gone through the diagnostic process. It always includes an external examination, palpation, radiography of the department from three sides. A detailed picture of the deformation that has occurred will be visible from the results of radiography. In case of lack of information, additional studies in the form of tomography, balloonography, sphincterometry may be prescribed. After establishing the diagnosis, the attending physician prescribes the necessary treatment and the duration of its course.

Treatment of a person with a suspected crack in the coccyx should be started even before the doctor arrives. The patient should be laid in such a way that his coccyx and the area around it do not come into contact with anything. It is best to take either a side position or lying on your stomach.

A cold heating pad or ice is applied to the coccyx area. If possible, the victim should drink an anesthetic. Only after such preparatory measures can you calmly wait for the doctor. The patient must fulfill the condition of bed rest with the possibility of turning on his back in order to exclude the appearance of bedsores. At this time, a circle is placed under the coccyx.

In order for the crack not to turn into a fracture, enemas are performed to improve and simplify defecation. They help to reduce the load on the pelvic muscles. Proper nutrition contributes to the rapid recovery of the patient's condition, the presence in the diet of such foods that contain a lot of calcium, which is necessary for bone tissues. We must not forget about vitamin-rich greens, healthy and nutritious fish, hazelnuts, persimmons (in season) and cabbage. Silicon, which is found in currants, radishes and, of course, cauliflower, is important in restoring the body.

After the acute symptoms of the injury are eliminated, experts advise trying therapies such as exercise therapy, hirudotherapy or physiotherapy, and massage. The correct appointment of treatment and its full implementation allow you to forget about the symptoms in a month or two. Effective treatment of a crack in the coccyx is categorically incompatible with taking hot baths, jumping, sharp turns, active sports, warming the bruised area immediately and for several days after the incident.

Read also:.

Consequences and complications

The coccyx is a part of the spinal column, so any untreated fracture or, for example, a crack can cause serious consequences, diseases of the spine. One of the complications is post-traumatic coccygodynia. Over time, the load on the healthy parts of the spine will increase, and the condition of the injured part of the coccyx will deteriorate significantly. In the end, a person will constantly experience unbearable pain. It will be difficult for him to sit, walk, bend over. Any sudden movement will be accompanied by a sharp pain syndrome. Such a neglected pathology requires a longer treatment.

Coccygodynia may appear months or years after the injury. Therefore, once forgotten hits and falls can be the cause of malaise today. Each individual case may have its own complications. It is impossible to ignore the treatment, it is necessary to pay attention to the very first symptoms and consult with a qualified doctor. Only timely diagnosis and treatment will make it possible not to learn about the sad consequences of injuries.

Excellent prevention of bruises, the appearance of cracks is the ability to fall correctly. If a person has lost his balance, do not fall on his back. The correct action is to group and roll onto your back. Some people fall quite often, it is important for them to train in the correct fall at home. Dietary supplements with calcium and vitamin D help strengthen cartilage and bones. This is unlikely to help avoid bruises and falls, but it will be a good prevention of possible complications. For the purpose of prevention, it is important to observe safety precautions when riding horses, vehicles that can cause a concussion of the body, when playing sports.

Experts recommend strengthening the muscles of the legs and back, avoiding bruises and falls. A balanced regular diet with a mass of nutrients and minerals sufficient for the body can also be called a preventive measure.