Thanks to your query. As an athlete, you might be used to coping with intermittent ache. Good for you for listening to your physique and recognizing this isn’t regular.
Briefly, every time you’ve gotten ache that’s getting worse it’s a good suggestion to see a healthcare supplier (even when you already noticed one). Whereas an X-ray provides a fast image of your tailbone, it’s not good, and there could also be extra remedy choices.
Learn on to study extra about tailbone ache.
What causes tailbone ache?
The tailbone is known as the coccyx. The medical time period for tailbone ache is coccydynia. Frequent causes of coccydynia in teen and younger grownup athletes embrace:
– Damage from a fall or different trauma. This could trigger a bruise or damaged bone (additionally known as fracture).
– Pressure from repeated use.
Different common causes of coccydynia embrace: sitting for lengthy durations of time, dietary standing (weighing an excessive amount of or too little), being pregnant, or most cancers (which is way much less frequent).
Is there something I can do at dwelling to assist lower the ache?
There are some issues you may attempt at dwelling, together with:
- Relaxation.
- Take over-the-counter medicines for irritation and ache.
- Word: It’s a good suggestion to verify along with your healthcare supplier to verify the medicines are secure primarily based in your medical historical past and allergy symptoms.
- Take a heat/scorching bathtub.
- Use a pillow for additional help. There are pillows which are donut-shaped which will help cut back the strain in your coccyx whereas sitting.
When ought to I see a well being care supplier?
You must see a well being care supplier for coccydynia if:
- You discover the ache will not be enhancing after a few days
- You discover the ache drugs will not be working
You must see a well being care supplier instantly if:
- The ache is extreme,
- You might be having issues strolling,
- You discover numbness or tingling in your legs or again, or
- You might be having any issues urinating (peeing) or stooling (pooping)
What’s going to the well being care supplier do?
The well being care supplier will do an examination, together with touching your again and coccyx.
They could get pictures of your tailbone. Usually this implies getting an X-ray. If the X-ray is regular, however the ache is extreme or persistent they could get an MRI or CT, which may give extra particulars in regards to the bone, muscle tissues, and ligaments.
They could suggest further remedy, together with:
- Prescription medicines to assist with the ache
- Bodily remedy
- Referral to a specialist