Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for a coccyx injury. The coccyx, or "tailbone," is a triangle-shaped group of small bones located at the end of the spine.
The coccyx can be bruised, dislocated, or broken in different ways. You might have pain, swelling, or bruising over the area.
Treatment depends, in part, on the type of injury you have and how serious it is. The doctor thinks you can recover at home. Most coccyx injuries take weeks to a few months to heal.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Take all your medicines as instructed:
•If the doctor gave you strong pain medicines to take for a short time, follow all the instructions.
•Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●If you have pain, sit leaning forward slightly. This takes the pressure off your coccyx. You can also use a cushion with a hole in the middle or a wedge cut out of the back. Try not to sit for long periods of time.
●For the first few days after your injury, ice can help with pain and swelling. Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
●After the first few days, heat might also help with pain. Place a hot water bottle, covered heating pad, or hot compress over the painful part. Never go to sleep while using a heating pad. Use heat for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Soaking in a hot bath might also help with pain.
●If straining to have a bowel movement makes your pain worse, you can take a stool softener.
●You might have to limit your activity or movement until your injury is healed. Ask your regular doctor what activities are safe for you to do. It is OK to rest your back for a day or so if you need to. But get up and move around gently during the day as you can.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your legs get numb, weak, or tingly.
●You have problems controlling your bowels or bladder.
●You cannot sit because of pain, even after trying ice, heat, pain medicine, and a cushion.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
