At the bottom of the spine everyone hides a vestigial tail called the coccyx. This small triangular piece of fused vertebrae normally points a little forward into the pelvic girdle and flexes slightly during sitting. Falls that involve an impact to the base of the spine, or bicycle mishaps that include a strike to that area, could bruise or break the tailbone and cause pain that lasts for days or months. Treatment consists of rest, protection and pain relief while the injury heals.
Symptoms
If after a cycling accident you experience pain in the lower back, sensitivity over the tailbone when sitting, or pain when moving your bowels, you may have fractured your coccyx. A physician could determine whether the pain involves a more serious injury. The diagnosis may include a rectal exam and manipulation of the tailbone from within. Some physicians might inject cortisone into the area to speed healing, but setting the bone isn't possible.
Pain Control
Any pressure on the broken coccyx could trigger spasms of severe pain. A fresh break in the tailbone might leave you unable to sit for several days, in which case bed rest brings some relief. Ice packs on the tailbone region could ease the pain of a newly broken coccyx. A 30-minute ice pack treatment every four hours eases the symptoms but the pain might not fade for two to three days, says Dr. Pierre Rouzier of "RelayHealth."
Injury Care
Since your tailbone can't be braced while it heals, any pressure or movement shifts the broken bone out of line and causes renewed pain. While healing a broken coccyx, eat more fiber, drink fluids regularly and avoid any foods you find constipating. Straining during bowel movements stresses the injury. Doughnut pillows allow sitting without bumping the coccyx if you align your tailbone with the hole. Leaning forward while sitting also eases the pressure.
Consequences
Broken tailbones normally heal within six weeks, but pain can linger for months. Surgically removing the tailbone sometimes cures chronic tailbone pain, but even excising the bone can't guarantee relief. Follow your doctor's advice carefully to avoid painful complications. Resuming normal activities such as cycling, before the injury completely heals, could re-injure the bone and delay healing. The severe pain of a broken coccyx limits activities naturally. In 2005, 12 days after he left the Tour de France due to crippling back pain, doctors diagnosed Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano with a broken tailbone. The treatment this professional rider received included rest and an extended break from training.
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