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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

how long for a coccyx injury to heal?

57 replies

ThatVikRinA22 · 21/12/2011 11:02

if anyone has ever broken or bruised their coccyx, please can you remember how long it took before you could do normal things again like drive?

i am panicking slightly, as its been around 3 weeks now and i still cannot sit to drive.
i still cant sit properly. i can lean on one hip or the other, or sit leant forward, but i cant sit back.

had a couple of GP appointments, never been suggested that i get an xray or anything.

just wondered from others how long i can expect to be incapacitated.
thanks

OP posts:

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CMOTdibbler · 21/12/2011 11:27

My friend broke and dislocated her coccyx, and tbh it was a good 6 weeks before she could sit for any length of time, and it is still causing her trouble a year on. She did have an mri to check what was going on, but the orthopaedic surgeon said there wasn't a lot they could do

ThatVikRinA22 · 21/12/2011 12:29

i ve spoken to a gp again today and booked an appointment for next week, but he says the same basically.

they wont xray because it takes a high dose of radiation to see so deep in the pelvis, and there is no treatment anyway.

said its just time and pain killers. fed up now though.

OP posts:

Hulababy · 21/12/2011 12:33

I damaged mine as a child and it was a few weeks before it was comfortable to sit down. Even now, some 20 odd years later it can be sore if I have to sit on a hard seat for any length of time. Was told there was nothing they could do back then.

noddyholder · 21/12/2011 12:37

I did this 4 weeks ago. I have always had a bit of an ache there from time to time since having ds.(he is 17!).I woke up one day 4 weeks ago in pain and thought it was a bit of a bruised feeling from sex(sorry if tmi). Since then I have been in agony and like you can get a bit of relief shifting about but it never lasts. I bought a coccyx cushion which has helped but the only relief i get truly is in bed. Even a broken coccyx can't be 'fixed' as they rarely x ray and it is not in a place where it can have a cast. There are exercises online which I have started. No pain killers seem to work either so i have given up with those. Not sure how you feel about homeopathy but my sister is a homeopath and recommended sepia which i haven't tried yet. Apparently it takes months xx

ThatVikRinA22 · 21/12/2011 14:24

im just scared that a prolonged absence from work is going to do me no favours, a couple of weeks i think is thought of as ok, more than that and im going to be on thin ice.

problem for me is that my working day is spent in a car, and thats the one position i cant maintain.

im worried.

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shoddyandolder · 21/12/2011 14:25

What painkillers have you tried? Have you looked at exercises for coccydynia on line?

ThatVikRinA22 · 21/12/2011 14:27

no ill google exercises.

painkillers - ive been on codeine, paracetamol and ibuprofen. codeine makes me feel sick though and i cant drive on it.

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belgo · 21/12/2011 14:28

Have you got a ring cushion that you sit on?

They don't usually X-ray for coccyx injuries because they don't treat the injury anyway, and the harm of the x-ray in the pelvic area makes it not worth it.

Take ibruprofen/paracetamol alternating according to the recommended dose.

Very painful though.

shoddyandolder · 21/12/2011 14:29

Soluble aspirin has worked for me a tiny bit. Are you ok in bed? I am which is odd. I have most pain sitting and getting up from sitting. It really is worth getting a coccyx cushion i think you can drive with those and it gives the coccyx a chance to heal

ThatVikRinA22 · 21/12/2011 14:30

ive been taking both together on GPs recommendation.

i need to get a ring cushion, might try that for driving.
i have a 3 week driving course that starts in January and its that that is panicking me right now.

it is improving slowly, just slowly being the operative word. GP has no problem in signing me off work but i do, im going to get the sack at this rate.

OP posts:

ThatVikRinA22 · 21/12/2011 14:32

shoddy - im exactly the same. ok in bed, but kills me to stand up from sitting and cannot sit for any length of time.

driving is the worst because you are in a "fixed" sitting position, i tried a drive yesterday and found myself trying to shift about, which is obviously dangerous.

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shoddyandolder · 21/12/2011 14:37

You have to find a way of sitting on each bum cheek with the coccyx area kind of floating iyswim. A true pita! I can walk around the shops and think I'm improving and then sit down for a coffee and can't stand up without a screech!

shoddyandolder · 21/12/2011 14:38

Was also advised to not sleep on my back until it is fully healed

mousysantamouse · 21/12/2011 14:38

I had it broken once (fell off a horse) and it took about 2 weeks untilI could go to the toilet without crying in pain, another couple of weeks and I was able to sit on normal chairs without cushions. about 6 week until it was good again.

ThatVikRinA22 · 21/12/2011 14:42

seems to drive i will defo need a cushion
but googling ...

so, do i need a coccyx cushion? (wedge shaped thing with hole out at back)

or ring cushion? (as the name suggests)

not sure which one to get?

OP posts:

mousysantamouse · 21/12/2011 14:48

I used a ring shaped one which looked a bit like a nursing pillow.

Canella · 21/12/2011 14:48

I damaged mine during dc2's birth - i didnt seek any treatment but complained about it lots.
I went back to work when dc2 was 8 months and had to sit for the whole day to do interviews and I was nearly crying.
So I made an appointment with a womens health physio and she treated me with a course of ultrasound and it completely cured the pain.
Would definitely recommend it. It wasnt invasive - I just had to pull my pants down a little bit.

shoddyandolder · 21/12/2011 14:51

I have the wedge with cut out. Am v interested in the infra red How lom=ng did it take?

ThatVikRinA22 · 21/12/2011 14:53

they have one of those machines at the sports injury clinic i go to at my gym....i will enquire, thanks for that, i hadnt even thought of it.

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Ponyclubmum · 21/12/2011 15:00

I damaged mine horse riding when I was 15. It was very painful for months, especially in Science lessons at school when we had to sit on hard wooden stools. I used to sit on my bundled up coat! I didn't go to the doctors about it so don't know if it was broken or just bruised, but it was bloody painful.
It still hurts now (15 years later) when I have to sit for any length of time on a hard surface. :(

Canella · 21/12/2011 15:06

It was ultrasound - not infrared. I think each treatment took about 5 mins and I probably had about 8 treatments. And the pain has never returned despite having a 3rd dc (altho he was 2lbs lighter at birth which might have helped).

shoddyandolder · 21/12/2011 15:08

Thanks canella that is very helpful Will try to find someone to do it!

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ThatVikRinA22 · 21/12/2011 15:14

shoddy - try an sports injury clinic - i know i had ultrasound on an achilles injury at one.

ive left a msg for them to phone me - im up for anything at this point!

OP posts:

shoddyandolder · 21/12/2011 15:20

Me too! Will be googling for one now Thanks x

DoodleAlley · 21/12/2011 15:24

Hi I slipped on ice last year and ended up signed off for six weeks and pain continued after that. I had christmas dinner kneeling on my chair! I found a ring cuhion still placed pressure on it and had to get a special coccyx cushion.

Drs didn't do anything despite repeated visits to get further sick notes.

I'm
Completely better now though I know it took about three months to be pain free. It's only temporary but I did find a warm bath on my side provided temporary relief. Wishing youa speedy recovery.

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