Medical Health Encyclopedia

Tailbone trauma

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Tailbone (coccyx)

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Tailbone trauma

Definition:

Tailbone trauma is an injury to the small bone at the lower tip of the spine.

Alternative Names:
Coccyx injury

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Considerations:

Actual fractures of the tailbone (coccyx) are infrequent. Tailbone trauma usually involves bruising of the bone or pulling of the ligaments.

Causes:

Backward falls onto a hard surface, such as a slippery floor or ice, are the most common cause of this injury.

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