• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Tailbone trauma

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Coccyx injury

First Aid:

For tailbone trauma where no spinal cord injury is suspected:

• Give acetaminophen for pain.
• Relieve pressure on the tailbone by sitting on an inflatable rubber ring or by arranging cushions for comfort.
• Administer a stool softener to avoid constipation.

If you suspect injury to the neck or spine, do not attempt to move the patient.

Do Not:

Do not attempt to move the patient if there you think there may be injury to the spinal cord.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:

• Spinal cord injury is suspected.
• The patient cannot move.
• Pain is severe.

• Review Date: 9/21/2006
• Reviewed By: Jeffrey Kauffman, MD, Sacramento Knee and Sports Medicine, Sacramento, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.