Fracture of the coccyx: symptoms, treatment, consequences

As you know, after the fall can be obtainedalmost any injury. In most cases, there is damage to the upper and lower extremities. Coccyx fracture is less common, as the segmental bone is well protected from external influences. An injury of this nature occurs not only as a result of an unsuccessful fall, damage is obtained during a traffic accident or a severe blow to this area.

Pelvic injuries are often seen in older people and women. This is due to the structural features of the body. Children and athletes are also at risk.

Coccyx fracture - a traumatic condition, withwhich violates the integrity of the coccygeal vertebrae. It is worth noting that this damage can lead to serious complications. Therefore, care must be taken to reduce the risk of injury to a minimum. In our material, we will look at the symptoms and treatment of the coccyx fracture, and also pay attention to the causes and consequences.

Causes of injury

For a start - a little anatomy.The tailbone is an important element of the human musculoskeletal system. One of his tasks is to participate in the proper distribution of loads on the pelvis. Fractures of this kind are rarely found in humans.

Consider the main causes of injury:

• falling from a large or medium height to the tailbone, it is worth noting that in most of these cases, the upper part of the tailbone suffers;
• childbirth. Women who are carrying a large fetus are at risk, because when the child passes through the birth canal, the cross-coccygeal mobile joint can shift;
• severe impact in the pelvic region, mechanical impact, in which the external structure of the vertebrae suffers;
• during a traffic accident, you may receive absolutely any kind of injury;
• continuous force on the pelvis. Fracture of the coccyx in women and men may occur as a result of constant driving with shaking, working conditions, etc.

Bruise or fracture?

In fact, this damage is easily confused,when it comes to the tailbone. The lower part of the spine has good protection against injuries, so in most cases this segment does not lend itself to a fracture, instead a bruise is formed. People need to understand that in case of a severe injury you cannot hesitate and you must take immediate action. In the event of a change in the tailbone, you should immediately go to the hospital. If a bruise is found, you can wait a bit. But the traumatologist still seems to need to gain confidence.

So, we will consider the main criteria for distinguishing these damages:

1. Bruising. In the absence of this feature, it is a bruise. When a serious fracture is diagnosed, blood appears very quickly.
2. Painful sensations.It is worth noting that in both cases this symptom will be observed. Injuries can be distinguished by the nature of the pain. Fracture is characterized by sharp and sharp unpleasant sensations, which for a long period do not give rest. When the injury is diagnosed stepped intensity of pain, at the time it calms down and then annoys again.
3. Defecation. One of the symptoms of the tailbone fracture is the quick urge to defecate, and the process is difficult and painful. This can not be said about bruises.

Classification

According to statistics, most of these injuriesIt happens in the winter season when everyone rolls off the hills using sleds and other means. The irregularities of the ice slide beat on the lower part of the spine, resulting in a bruise or fracture. Therefore, parents need to be especially careful and if possible to monitor the child.

Traumatologists distinguish three types of damage:

• fracture without displacement. This is a classic trauma, usually complications do not arise if treatment is started on time;
• tailbone fracture with displacement. A rather rare situation, but the most dangerous, is the risk of a negative impact on the spinal cord;
• fractures. Here are the subluxations and dislocations, the most common case.

Elderly people with osteoporosis orother pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, usually there is a fracture with fracture of the bones of the processes. As you know, bone deformation occurs with age, they become fragile. Therefore, even with a minor impact, a fracture is detected. According to statistics, fractures occur mainly among women, and sprains - in children.

Symptoms of a coccyx fracture

Key feature by which you can identifydamage of this nature is painful. The pain is quite sharp and sharp, aggravated by walking and making sharp movements. A patient diagnosed with a fracture cannot sit in the usual position, the discomfort becomes stronger. In addition, a slight swelling occurs at the injury site. During defecation, the patient is experiencing particular difficulties.

Symptoms of a coccyx fracture in women and mencan be attributed to difficulty in movement. If there is an injury with displacement, the victim is practically unable to walk due to unbearable pain. Discomfort is aggravated by sneezing and any other action performed by the patient.

Diagnostics

After receiving damage you need as much as possible.faster contact a traumatologist. The specialist, in turn, conducts a primary examination of the patient. First you need to palpate the fracture zone to check reflexes and the presence of pain. Then you can begin to collect information from the victim, the doctor needs more details and circumstances under which the patient was injured. As a result of the initial examination, the traumatologist makes a preliminary diagnosis. To finally determine the type of injury, you need to carry out instrumental procedures.

As you know, the most effective methoddiagnosis is radiography. It is performed in profile and full face, which allows you to clearly see in the picture all the changes that have occurred. In rare situations, the doctor prescribes additional activities. Although, if the damage is serious and there is a suspicion of spinal cord injury, the doctor sends the patient to CT scans and magnetic resonance therapy.

In addition, the attending doctor should pay attention to the signs and symptoms. The consequences of a coccyx fracture are not bright, because the injury grows for a very long time, there is a chance of a relapse.

First aid

Once you have discovered the damage, you mustwithout delay seem trauma. Before the arrival of the brigade, you must provide first aid to the victim. This will greatly facilitate his condition.

So, what to do when such situations arise:

• for a start, put the patient on a horizontal surface sideways. This is necessary in order to avoid choking vomit in case of loss of consciousness;
• then you should fix the position from the sides, you can also put rollers from the bottom of the clothes to ensure a natural position without a load on the tailbone;
• provided that the patient is conscious and the swallowing reflex is not disturbed, an anesthetic agent can be given;
• to reduce puffiness, apply dry ice to the fracture site;
• you need to constantly monitor the respiratory organs, keep in mind that sometimes the tongue sinks down;
• if the patient is unconscious and not breathing, proceed to an indirect heart massage and artificial respiration;
• if it is necessary to transport the patient, it should be done face down, having previously put the tires on the damaged parts of the spine.

If all actions are performed according to the algorithm before the arrival of the medical team, there is a good chance of a favorable outcome. How to treat a coccyx fracture? Let's talk below.

Methods of treatment

Often, traumatologists choose a conservative method of therapy, surgery is used much less frequently. Consider the basic methods of traditional treatment:

1. Injections of painkillers.Usually prescribed analgesics like "Ketorolaka" and "Lornoxicam". Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Analgin, Ibuprofen) are also considered effective. If the situation is very difficult, the doctor prescribes narcotic painkillers.
2. Bed restThe victim the first week settles down on a hard couch in a position facing down. After seven days, it is possible to roll over onto his back, but only if the roller is inserted under the tailbone. Only a month later at least the patient will be allowed to stand up for a short while, wearing a corset.
3. Droppers with saline and glucose.

Лечение перелома копчика операцией используется в complicated situations, for example in the presence of injury with displacement or damage to the spinal cord. A qualified surgeon is able to correct the deformities of the vertebrae, remove a fragment of the coccyx, eliminate splinters. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. Excision of the coccyx can only be prescribed if the patient complains of local pain. Surgical intervention is quite a risky step, because it can cause disability.

Recovery

The rehabilitation period lasts approximately one and a halfup to two months and is carried out simultaneously with the treatment. In other words, as soon as the doctor allows you to move, you must begin to perform certain activities. Consider the main ones:

1. Physiotherapy.There is a set of special exercises designed for patients with spinal fractures. With it, you can prevent the occurrence of bedsores, bring muscles into tone, normalize metabolism and restore blood circulation. You need to start from a prone position, as the number of repetitions in the exercises increases. It is worth noting that at the turn of the coccyx, the attending physician prescribes physical therapy.
2. Massage.A great option as an additional therapy. The massage is aimed at relaxing and treating areas of the body adjacent to the injured. It is better to entrust the conduct of this procedure to a professional, then the result will not take long.
3. Physiotherapy.Almost always, the doctor first prescribes electrophoresis and paraffin baths. Further, the number of activities increases, necessarily added myostimulation and magnetic therapy. And finally, to fix the effect is usually charged with hirudotherapy and balneological procedures.
4. Stimulation defecation.To avoid a shift in the elements of the tailbone, it is recommended that the first week be used to start the process of defecation with an enema. This method will not cause negative consequences, but will only benefit.
5. DietVery important diet during the course of recovery. It is recommended to eat foods with calcium content. These include cottage cheese, hazelnuts, persimmon. For better absorption of calcium, do not forget about the products with the presence of silicon in the composition: olives, radishes, currants, cabbage.

Fracture lifestyle

Пациенту необходимо прежде всего психологически prepare for a long and exhausting treatment. At the time of recovery it is prescribed to strictly adhere to bed rest. In addition, you must comply with all recommendations of the attending physician, physiotherapist, correct your diet.

A month later, the victim will be graduallypour into the usual life. However, there will still be a restriction on too active sports. In addition, with such an injury can not perform heavy physical work throughout the year. To reduce the level of pain a little, you can buy an orthopedic pillow and put it under the tailbone. If you once had such an injury, you should periodically visit a doctor for prevention.

Complications

The effects of a tailbone fracture can be preventedif the injury was not serious and the necessary medical assistance was provided. In other cases, you can only hope for good luck. In any case, if you act according to the recommendations of the doctors, the risk of additional diseases is significantly reduced.

The most common consequences can beinclude migraine, problems with delivery, spinal cord injury, neurological disorders, the formation of callus, accompanied by painful sensations in a sitting position.

As for prevention, you need to be veryattentive and neat. Fall prevention will reduce the likelihood of injury. Do not forget about proper nutrition, so you can increase the strength of bones. If you add here a set of special exercises, the effect will be simply amazing. In this article, we looked at the symptoms and effects of the coccyx fracture in women and men. Now you know what to do when you get injured and how to treat it.