Omar Khawaja | March 9, 2026 | Personal Injury
Your tailbone, also known as your coccyx, is located at the bottom of your spine. Most people don’t give much thought to their tailbone until they injure it. Tailbone injuries can occur from falling, crashing your bicycle, or just about any other incident where you suffer trauma to your coccyx.
However, it can be tough to tell whether your tailbone is broken or just hurts. With that in mind, here are some signs and symptoms that your tailbone is broken and that you require further follow-up treatment with your provider:
Common Symptoms Of A Broken Tailbone
The specific symptoms you have will vary depending on the severity of your fracture, but most people experience noticeable pain shortly after the injury. Your tailbone may start hurting right away.
Here are some pain-related signs to look for:
- Sharp or deep, aching pain at the base of the spine
- Increased pain when sitting or leaning back
- Pain when standing up from a seated position
- Bruising or swelling in the lower back
- Pain during bowel movements
The pain is typically worse when sitting on hard surfaces. Many people tend to lean forward to alleviate pressure on the tailbone. You may also try a cushion with a U-shape, which supports you without touching the tailbone.
When Tailbone Pain Indicates A More Serious Injury
While many tailbone injuries involve bruising, severe or persistent pain could indicate that you have a fracture. In these instances, your provider may recommend an X-ray to learn whether your coccyx is broken.
You should seek medical attention if your tailbone pain is accompanied by any of the following:
- Numbness or tingling in the legs
- Weakness in the lower extremities
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
These symptoms indicate that you may have suffered a more severe spinal injury. Don’t delay treatment or wait to see if the symptoms get better. Spinal cord damage can have lifelong consequences that lead to chronic pain and lasting mobility issues.
Causes Of Broken Tailbones
Here are a few types of accidents that could lead to a coccyx fracture:
- Slip and fall accidents on wet floors
- Rear-end vehicle crashes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Contact sports injuries
For example, someone who is struck in a Houston pedestrian accident may fall backward and land directly on their tailbone. Such an accident can leave you facing weeks of pain and discomfort, which can be incredibly difficult to alleviate due to the location of your coccyx.
How To Relieve Tailbone Pain
Dealing with tailbone pain from severe bruising or a fractured bone can be difficult. After all, you’ll have to sit down eventually, which is a pain trigger for most people with a damaged tailbone. The Mayo Clinic lists the following as potential interventions for tailbone pain:
- Physical Therapy: Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist, who can teach you relaxation techniques to alleviate the pressure.
- Manipulation: Massaging the muscles near your tailbone could help provide some relief.
- Medication: Oral or injectable medications could be used to alleviate pain and inflammation.
- Surgery: In severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery, but it is only done if other interventions fail.
The first step to healing is getting properly diagnosed. Whether your injuries have been caused by a car accident, a slip and fall, or something else entirely, getting help is vital. Follow through with your provider and explore all of your options so you can get on the road to recovery.
Contact Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers For A Free Consultation With A Houston Personal Injury Lawyer
If your tailbone injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not have to deal with the financial and physical consequences alone. The team at Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries. Contact a Houston personal injury lawyer today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can assist you with your claim.
If you’ve been injured in Houston or Dallas, please call Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer or contact us online.
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