Anderson Injury Lawyers | November 1, 2024 | Personal Injury
Breaking your tailbone can be a serious and debilitating injury. However, the symptoms aren’t always obvious, and you may not realize you’ve suffered this specific injury after an accident. Whether deliberate or unintentional, ignoring a broken tailbone can prolong your recovery and lead to needless pain.
If you were recently in an accident in Fort Worth, it’s essential to understand how to recognize the symptoms of this common injury.
The Structure and Purpose of Your Tailbone
The “tailbone” consists of approximately three fused vertebrae extending from the end of your spine. This structure is called the “coccyx,” and it can be felt by placing your fingers at the top of your buttocks and tracing your spine downward. The bone that you feel between your buttocks is your coccyx.
The coccyx may seem unimportant, but it serves several vital functions. First, it helps bear and distribute your weight when you sit down. Secondly, your tailbone supports several organs, assisting bladder and bowel control.
Finally, several muscles, including the gluteus maximus, are attached to the coccyx. Without your tailbone, essential daily activities would be painful or impossible.
How To Know Whether You Broke Your Tailbone
You can injure your coccyx in various types of accidents, including car wrecks and slips and falls. However, it may not be immediately apparent whether you merely injured your coccyx or if the vertebrae are indeed fractured. An X-ray or other medical imaging is often needed to diagnose a broken coccyx affirmatively.
Pain is typically the primary symptom of a fractured tailbone. If you experience intense pain, or if your pain does not improve after a few days, it could indicate that you fractured your tailbone.
See your doctor quickly if you notice pain in and around your tailbone area under the following conditions:
- Does not appear to improve with time
- Increases while sitting or when transitioning between sitting and standing
- Increases while having sex
- Happens during bowel movements
You should also be concerned about any tingling or numbness in your legs after a tailbone injury. These sensations can indicate nerve damage, which can be long-lasting or even permanent after a severe car collision or other accident.
Recovering From a Coccyx Injury
Any fracture to your tailbone will often heal with rest and time. At-home measures supplement medical care to address any discomfort you experience during this time. Such measures could include icing your tailbone to reduce swelling and using a circular cushion while sitting. This step can prevent you from putting unnecessary pressure on your coccyx and promote healing.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and pain medications can also help you manage your symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe stronger drugs if these options are not strong enough. It is critical that you take any prescription medication exactly as prescribed and for no longer than necessary.
More serious cases may need additional medical interventions. For example, you might need physical therapy to help you move with minimal pain, or you may need epidural injections to reduce your pain and swelling. In especially severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery following a broken tailbone. This is typically pursued after other options have failed.
When To Seek Compensation For a Broken Tailbone
Fracturing your coccyx in an accident can be painful. Nonetheless, it rarely results in any permanent damage or limitations. Even so, the recovery process can take time and resources. You might be unable to work or enjoy your daily activities while your fracture heals.
This is where an experienced attorney comes in. If your injury happened as a result of someone else’s actions in Fort Worth, it’s vital to contact a personal injury lawyer to determine whether you’re entitled to compensation under Texas law.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
