Consequences

The consequences of a coccyx fracture are very different for each patient. In general, it depends on how severely the coccyx (Os coccygis) was fractured and whether the patient was treated correctly after the fracture. If a patient has broken her coccyx during birth, it is often only slightly damaged.

In this case, the coccyx can grow back together completely by resting in bed and avoiding sitting. In this case, the consequences of the coccyx fracture are often only minimal. During the first weeks, the patient suffers from pain when sitting or riding a bicycle, rarely pain when standing upright.

Strong pressing during bowel movement is extremely painful for the patient. Since this can also lead to the coccyx not growing together adequately due to the pressure, patients should switch to light, high-fiber foods. This minimizes the likelihood of having to fight the consequences of a coccyx fracture for a long time.

In general, most patients recover from the coccyx fracture after a few weeks. The patient then no longer has any pain and can sit again (initially only with the help of a seat ring).Unfortunately, there are also patients who always have to live with the consequences of a coccyx fracture. Especially if the coccyx is completely broken, pain can occur for months.

In rare cases, this can then turn into chronic pain that persists for years. In order to avoid chronic pain as a result of a coccyx fracture, it is important to take sufficient care of the fracture. In this way, protracted consequences can often be avoided.

Birth

Another cause can be the special circumstance at birth, since the child’s head presses against the coccyx during the passage in the birth canal. The surrounding muscles and ligaments together with the coccyx form a good resistance. However, this resistance is not always sufficient when the pressure is too strong, so that in some cases a coccyx fracture can occur.