Stephen Schultz | July 23, 2025 | Personal Injury
A broken tailbone can create a unique type of pain that’s hard to ignore or work around. This small triangular bone at the base of your spine might seem insignificant, but when it’s fractured, the symptoms can completely disrupt your daily life.
In St. Louis, tailbone injuries often happen during slip and fall accidents, car crashes, or direct trauma to the area. If you suspect you’ve hurt your tailbone in an accident, there are a few key symptoms you will want to watch for. Continue reading to learn more.
Sharp Pain at the Base of Your Spine
The tailbone, or coccyx, consists of three to five small bones that can crack, break, or become dislocated when you experience a hard impact. The most obvious symptom of a broken tailbone is intense, localized pain right where your spine ends.
This is not a general back ache; it’s a very specific pain that you can pinpoint to the exact spot where your tailbone is located. Many people describe it as sharp and stabbing, almost like someone is poking them with a knife or they’re sitting on a rock.
Pain That Gets Worse With Movement
Transitioning between sitting and standing often triggers the worst pain episodes. The moment you start to sit down or stand up can cause sharp, shooting pain that takes your breath away.
Bending forward, even slightly, can also intensify the pain. Simple activities like picking something up off the floor might involve severe discomfort.
Trouble With Sitting
A particularly challenging symptom is when sitting becomes extremely painful or even impossible. Any surface that puts pressure on your tailbone may trigger pronounced discomfort, from office chairs to car seats.
Such pain usually isn’t the type that you can push through, either. It’s often so notable that you’ll automatically stand up or shift your weight to take the pressure off. Even soft surfaces like couches can cause significant pain.
Bruising, Tenderness, and Swelling
The skin and tissue around your tailbone will likely become very tender to the touch. You might notice visible swelling around the base of your spine. The area could look puffy or feel noticeably different when you touch it compared to how it felt before the injury.
Some people develop bruising that extends from the tailbone area down toward the upper thighs. The bruises might develop over the first few days after the injury rather than showing up immediately.
Pain That Radiates Into Surrounding Areas
While the main pain stays focused on the tailbone, you might also feel discomfort that spreads into your lower back, hips, or even down into your legs. This happens because the tailbone connects to several muscles and ligaments in that area.
The radiating pain is generally less intense than the direct tailbone pain. However, it can create a broader area of discomfort that makes it challenging to manage throughout the day. Sometimes, even just going to the bathroom becomes a challenge.
Difficulty Finding Comfortable Positions
Beyond just sitting, you might find that many positions that used to be comfortable now cause pain. Lying flat on your back can put pressure on the tailbone, and leaning back against surfaces can also hurt if the surface touches your tailbone area. Even getting in and out of bed might require careful maneuvering.
Contact the St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Broken tailbone symptoms often start mild and gradually worsen over the first few days after an accident. What begins as minor discomfort can become severe, constant pain that impacts every aspect of your personal and work routines.
When someone else’s negligence causes these painful symptoms, the resulting medical expenses and lost productivity shouldn’t become your responsibility. If you believe you’ve broken your tailbone due to another’s actions in St. Louis, it’s essential to seek medical care and the advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer to protect your health and your rights.
Contact Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Personal injury accidents can change your life in an instant. If you’ve been hurt in a personal injury, call Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers now to schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis personal injury attorney. We’ll review your case for free and help you take the next steps toward justice and recovery.
Contact the attorneys at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation, we proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County and Boone County and we have offices in St. Louis, Ladue, Columbia, Creve Coeur.
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
319 N 4th Street
Suite 835
St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 444-4444
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Ladue Office
9807 S 40 Dr
St. Louis, MO 63124
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Columbia Office
28 N 8th St # 502
Columbia, MO 65201
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Creve Coeur Office
999 Executive Pkwy Dr #205
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
