Pain comes with the territory for hockey players who have to deal with bone-rattling body checks, brutal slashes and the constant threat of exposed skate blades and rock-hard pucks. Competing on ice only increases the potential for injury, with high-speed collisions and falls -- either accidental or encouraged -- leaving players bruised and battered. The frequent falls can prove particularly painful for a hockey player's tailbone.
Identification
The tailbone, or coccyx, consists of several bones located in the lower back at the end of the spine. Depending on the size of the individual, the tailbone may feature three to five vertebrae -- although all tailbones have a triangular shape and point downward. The tailbone helps support the body in a sitting position and provides an attachment point for muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Causes
Hockey players tend to injure their tailbones in severe collisions or simply due to the repetitive slips and falls associated with the sport. When players lose their balance, they often fall straight back against the unforgiving ice, landing on the tailbone. Novice hockey players or those just learning to skate often experience a lot of tailbone trauma before they find their "skating legs."
Injuries
Tailbone pain can result from bruises, sprains, dislocations or fractures. Pain emanates from the tip of the spine but may resonate throughout the lower back, hips and buttocks. Sitting often intensifies the discomfort. Doctors typically need to perform a physical examination in concert with X-rays to diagnose a tailbone injury. More severe cases may require an MRI or CT scan to pinpoint the specific problem.
Treatment
Hockey players who have suffered a tailbone injury need to treat it with ice and rest. While a simple bruised tailbone may feel better in a few days, fractured tailbones may take four to six weeks to heal. Resting the tailbone means not only halting all hockey activities but also using a cushioned donut pillow when sitting to help alleviate pressure on the damaged coccyx.
Prevention
Aside from trying not to fall down, hockey players can wear proper equipment to help limit the chances of suffering a tailbone injury. Hockey pants feature extensive padding to protect the thighs, hips and buttocks. When shopping for hockey pants, make certain they contain a special pad specifically designed to guard the tailbone. Many manufactures have started constructing pants with raised padding in the back to protect a greater portion of the lower back, extending the protection down through to the coccyx.
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