Is tailbone part of spine?
The coccyx is a triangular arrangement of bone that makes up the very bottom portion of the spine below the sacrum. It represents a vestigial tail, hence the common term tailbone.
What does it mean when your back tailbone hurts?
Tailbone pain — pain that occurs in or around the bony structure at the bottom of the spine (coccyx) — can be caused by trauma to the coccyx during a fall, prolonged sitting on a hard or narrow surface, degenerative joint changes, or vaginal childbirth.
Can you live without a tailbone?
Tailbones helped our ancestors with mobility and balance, but the tail shrank as humans learned to walk upright. The coccyx now serves no purpose in humans.
What is the most useless bone?
The Human Tailbone (Coccyx) As our ancestors were learning to walk upright, their tail became useless, and it slowly disappeared. It has been suggested that the coccyx helps to anchor minor muscles and may support pelvic organs.
What kind of doctor would you see for tailbone pain?
The vast majority of cases of tailbone pain can be managed by a primary-care physician, such as a family physician or internist. In the rare case of surgical intervention, a spine surgeon will be consulted.
How long for tailbone injury to heal?
Tailbone injuries are painful and can take a long time to heal. Except for extreme injuries, the treatment for an injured tailbone is for the patient to rest and allow the body to repair itself. Bruised tailbones can take a matter of days to heal. Broken tailbones can take four to six weeks to heal.
What causes a painful tailbone with no injury?
Falls and other traumas can bruise, dislocate, or break your tailbone. Joint damage from repetitive motions or general wear and tear from aging can also contribute to tailbone pain. During the last trimester of pregnancy, the ligaments connected to and around the coccyx naturally loosen to make room for the baby.
What are the symptoms of a fractured tailbone?
Symptoms of a Broken Tailbone. Pain in the coccyx area after direct trauma or fall on to the coccyx area. Pain upon sitting.