The coccyx is one of the most vulnerable parts of the spine, so it suffers from a large number of injuries. Subluxation is the most common of these. But what is he? Symptoms and treatment of tailbone subluxation, features of first aid, as well as possible complications are described in the article.
Definition
Subluxation or dislocation of the coccyx is a condition in which the joints of the coccyx and sacrum are partially or completely displaced in relation to each other. In this case, only the coccyx moves. The sacrum remains in an anatomically correct position.
Receiving such an injury in a person significantly worsens the quality of life, subluxation of the coccyx causes pain and discomfort with every movement. If left untreated, this pathological condition can drastically limit a person's motor activity.
Causes of occurrence
Contrary to popular belief that coccyx subluxation can only happen when falling to the ground, there are actually more reasons for this kind of injury:
- Severe labor activity, especially if the fetus is of impressive size.
- A blow with a blunt object to the sacrum.
- Excessive stress in sports training or professional injuries in competitions.
- Poor depreciation in transport.
- Violations of the depreciation function of the knee joints.
Also, similar injuries can occur in the elderly, when the muscular corset of the back is weakened or even atrophied.
Symptomatics
To determine whether it is a dislocation of the coccyx or a subluxation, only a traumatologist can. Since their symptoms are very similar:
- If the coccyx is bruised during a fall, then a sharp pain is immediately felt in the sacrum. Over time, pain only intensifies, and their nature may change depending on the position in which the person is.
- If the injury was received a few days ago, then the person no longer feels such a sharp pain, but pain and discomfort do not allow him to sit and move normally.
- With chronic injuries, a person may not feel pain until a certain careless movement.
- Discomfort can also be felt in the perineum and anus. In this case, the person feels a shooting pain during a bowel movement.
- Palpation of the sacral spine causes pain to a person.
Also, when visually inspecting the injury site, you can notice swelling, redness of the skin, and evenbruising if the bruise was severe enough.
Diagnosis
If you fell on the coccyx, it hurts, what should I do? In order to understand the cause of discomfort, you need to consult a traumatologist. He will carry out the following diagnostic measures:
- Collecting an anamnesis, during which the process of injury is specified.
- Visual examination and palpation, which are necessary to determine the degree and type of damage to the coccyx.
- Rectal examination during which the doctor through the rectum has the opportunity to feel and determine the level of inclination of the coccygeal bone. The procedure is rather unpleasant. But this is how it is determined that the subluxation of the coccyx happened inside or out.
- X-ray examination is necessary in order to confirm the presence of an injury, to understand its nature, severity. Also, an x-ray of the subluxation of the coccyx is necessary in order to distinguish this pathological condition from a fracture or crack in the bone.
- Magnetic resonance imaging for such injuries is rarely used. However, it allows you to assess the condition of not only the coccyx bone, but also the ligaments around it, which could also be injured.
Based on the data obtained during the medical examination, the doctor prescribes adequate treatment.
First Aid
If you fell on the coccyx, it hurts, what should I do? First of all, you need to provide all possible first aid:
- The patient should try to lie on his stomach. If he himself cannot do it, he needs to be gently helped. In this case, you can not make sudden movements, they can aggravate the injury.
- In order to relieve pain, you can put a cold compress from any materials at hand on the sacral region of the back. The compress should only be applied through dense material in order to avoid frostbite on the skin.
- It is also acceptable to offer pain medication to the victim. In this case, you need to clarify with him the presence of an allergy to certain pills.
After completing these activities, you need to deliver the victim to the emergency room. It is better to call an ambulance for this, as the patient should be delivered in the supine position on his side. It is not recommended to take the victim to the hospital or call a taxi on your own.
Therapy
Treatment of subluxation of the coccyx is similar to therapy for dislocation, it can be performed on an outpatient basis, since there are no indications for hospitalization in most cases. Treatment consists of the following points:
- Resetting the joint into place. It is performed by a surgeon or traumatologist under local anesthesia. For these purposes, the drug "Novocaine" is used if there is no allergic reaction to it.
- In case of severe pain, the patient may be prescribed analgesics or other painkillers, for example, Baralgin, Ketanov.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are needed in order to relieve swelling and inflammation. The most commonly used drugs such as "Movalis","Diclofenac". They can be in the form of injections, and in the form of ointments or gels.
- Children and pregnant women are prescribed drugs based on papaverine to relieve inflammation in the form of rectal suppositories. Also, pregnant women need to consult a gynecologist in order to make sure that the fall did not harm the fetus.
In addition, the patient is shown bed rest for two weeks. In this case, you need to lie exclusively on your stomach in order to prevent displacement of the joint. After that, the patient is allowed to sit down for a short period of time. If at the same time the patient feels pain, then it is recommended to use an orthopedic pillow.
These difficulties are related to the hard-to-reach location of the coccyx. Therefore, you can not just apply a cast or elastic bandage for fixation. Treatment of chronic subluxations of the coccyx is limited to local anti-inflammatory drugs.
Rehab
The recovery process after an injury lasts about 1 month. At the same time, the physical activity of a person is significantly limited. This factor negatively affects muscle function, so rehabilitation is required after treatment. It consists in performing special physiotherapy exercises under the supervision of a doctor, as well as performing some physiotherapy procedures, such as electrophoresis, darsonval and ultrasound treatment.
It is also very important to follow a diet rich in vitamins, proteins, calcium. To restore the articular tissue, it is proposedinclude foods such as jelly, soy products, olive oil, green tea in the diet.
During the recovery process, there may be problems with defecation. In such cases, the use of a mild laxative drug "Duphalac" is indicated. It is allowed even for children and pregnant women. It is also very important to drink plenty of water daily.
Consequences
Any injury negatively affects the state of the body. Tailbone subluxation is no exception. It needs the attention of not only the patient, but also the doctor. In order to avoid the unpleasant consequences of subluxation of the coccyx, it is necessary to provide timely treatment. If this has not been done, the following complications may occur:
- Coccygeal deformity.
- Inflammatory process in the soft tissues around the coccygeal bone.
- Violation of the integrity of the ligaments.
- Difficulties during childbirth later.
- Coccygeal bone dysfunction.
- Bone callus formation, which can interfere with sitting and lying down. Sometimes such a pathology needs surgical intervention.
Also, in the absence of timely assistance, chronic pain syndrome may develop, which will significantly worsen the quality of human life.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely prevent the appearance of tailbone subluxation, however, if you follow simple rules, the risks can be minimized:
- Give up high-heeled shoes in favor ofmedium or low. This will reduce the risk of falling.
- Be careful on the ice in winter.
- If large fetus sizes are noted during pregnancy, then with a narrow pelvis it makes sense to replace natural birth with a caesarean section.
To strengthen the muscular corset and it is useful to play sports with moderate loads. At the same time, it is important to observe safety precautions when performing certain exercises.
