Coccyx fracture ?

[Gusbear]

I fractured mine (non displaced according to X-rays and a CT scan) five weeks ago. I can’t get in to see a physio due to yet another lockdown here. Any ideas as to how long it might take to heal and when I can safely get back in the saddle? BTW, I did ask my GP, however she has no idea and said wait to see the physio, whenever that might be.
I’ve got my trusty inflatable donut cushion and have just ordered an Acavello ortho coccyx seat saver for my saddle.
Can anyone offer any advice, words of wisdom, anything really as this is literally a pain in the butt in more ways than one. I had only just recovered from 4 1/2 weeks ‘box rest’ after my horse accidentally kicked my lower leg, which was around the same time I lost my job due to Covid. On the plus side, things can only get better, as surely what else could go wrong? I’m being positive regardless as in all honesty first world problems so I should be grateful I’m still more or less in one piece, albeit with a dodgy leg and a somewhat tender derrière.
P.S. Brownie points to anyone that can guess how I fractured it …

 

[shortstuff99]

8 to 12 weeks normally until back in saddle.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I fractured mine as a teenager (being bucked off bareback). I remember a few months of not being able to sit down. I starting riding in half seat after a while. Didn’t have any treatment and healed fine. Don’t think took too long.

 

[cauda equina]

I fractured mine (non displaced according to X-rays and a CT scan) five weeks ago. I can’t get in to see a physio due to yet another lockdown here. Any ideas as to how long it might take to heal and when I can safely get back in the saddle? BTW, I did ask my GP, however she has no idea and said wait to see the physio, whenever that might be.
I’ve got my trusty inflatable donut cushion and have just ordered an Acavello ortho coccyx seat saver for my saddle.
Can anyone offer any advice, words of wisdom, anything really as this is literally a pain in the butt in more ways than one. I had only just recovered from 4 1/2 weeks ‘box rest’ after my horse accidentally kicked my lower leg, which was around the same time I lost my job due to Covid. On the plus side, things can only get better, as surely what else could go wrong? I’m being positive regardless as in all honesty first world problems so I should be grateful I’m still more or less in one piece, albeit with a dodgy leg and a somewhat tender derrière.
P.S. Brownie points to anyone that can guess how I fractured it …

I bet it was something really mundane, like slipping in mud
Sending healing vibes x

 

[Gusbear]

Thanks for the healing vibes CE. Nope, didn’t slip in mud.
A hint: It wasn’t horse related.

 

[Translationsneeded1]

About 3 months ime ?

 

[Gloi]

When I damaged mine (slipping in mud and landing on a rock)I bought a torsion treeless saddle with a thick sheepskin pad under it. I could ride in that when I couldn't in my normal saddle. I sold it once I was better because it was insecure side to side, but it was a lot more comfy on my poor tailbone.

 

[Griffin]

I had treatment from an osteopath for mine when it had healed up which really helped. If you can get the muscles to relax either side (if that makes sense) that really helps.

Be really careful about always using the cushion (I even bought a smaller foam one with a cut out I could fold up and take with me everywhere) because that really brings relief.

Mine took a few months to heal completely.

 

[BeckyFlowers]

I went top to bottom down the stairs in the seated position after my heel slipped on the carpet, and mine took nine months to completely heal (I didn't get it x-rayed or anything so I just assumed it was very badly bruised). I remember the first time I got back in the saddle, after maybe two or three months, and I had to get off after about 30 minutes because I was in so much pain. I can't really offer any words of wisdom as I just let mine heal at it's own pace, although I did buy a wedge cushion which helped. I hope you have a speedier recovery than me! I had no lasting effects though, so once it healed I had zero problems with it.

 

[Flame_]

I think I fractured mine (never had it x-rayed). I can't remember exactly how long it took to heal. What I do remember is that the pain would generally go and then I'd put pressure on it sitting differently or something and that would hurt like hell for a long time after the injury. I actually stopped trying to ride push bikes after that because the pressure on that bone from a cycle seat was unbearable. I don't even know if I could ride a bike for any length of time now, I never tried again (should really!)

 

[twiggy2]

I have done mine twice, first time it was about 2 yrs before I sat down relaxed on a sofa or chair and I wasn't riding at the time, 2nd time I delayed backing my mare and didn't rude the youngster at work for about three months but rode the more predictable horses but was out of the saddle most of the time an donly short hacks for a few months as it was so painful.
Did you slip down some steps? Thats how I did it first time, 2nd time I slipped on some wet clay.

 

[scats]

A few years ago, after weeks of agony and a weird popping sound from my coccyx, I had an MRI and was diagnosed with an unstable/dislocating coccyx. The ligaments that keep your coccyx ‘stable’, well mine are like old rubber bands and they can no longer keep my coccyx in the right place.
I can no longer sit evenly because my coccyx just pops in and out (with a lovely thud thud sound) so I always to have favour one bum cheek- as a result my SI joint dysfunction, which was previously mostly bearable, is now out of control.
I can’t ride on a saddle if it doesn’t have some form of cushioning- I use the Acavallo gel out at the moment and I see a chiro every 3-4 weeks to try and keep me as straight as possible and to keep the SI issues under control.

So I would suggest definitely take it easy and try to let it heal properly. I carried on riding when mine was at its worst and it probably wasn’t a good idea. I still remember the swearing and sweating I did everytime I got off!
In all fairness, the pain in my coccyx is not too bad now, but when the ligaments where on their way out, the pain was absolutely excruciating everytime I went from sitting to standing.

 

[PurBee]

They say trouble comes in 3’s....sorry you’re being bombarded with bad luck....youre right things can now get better!

I know someone who when a teen, while drunk, jumped off a wall with his mates and landed on the ground on his butt instead of his feet. Back then i dont think he had it looked at but he’s the type to just carry on being busy and grinning through the pain with gritted teeth. He’s suffered years with lower back/pelvis issues and as a 60yr old now was diagnosed with cauda equina and had an operation as he’s been on painkillers for back pain for decades...

So thats worth bearing in mind to really take your time healing as slowly as you need to. Dont rush it. Get physio, updated xrays etc. Aid bone healing/strengthening with vit D , phosphorus and calcium if you’re female later years.

Ive slipped straight down and it hurts like hell...found sitting painful but didnt fracture as it healed within a few weeks. So really go slow...back on serious box rest for you! Hugs x

 

[Honey08]

My mum fractured hers many years ago. It took her a long time to get back to normal.

 

[KEK]

Sending sympathy, I have major coccyx woes. Mine started aching 8 yrs ago after a lesson, no trauma. Have had everything done to try and fix it, MRI says degeneration and bone oedema. Only thing left for me is to have it removed
Hope you heal well.

 

[Gusbear]

Thanks for your replies and well wishes. I’ll fess up. I fell over whilst sleepwalking! I didn’t even wake up at the time and only realised the next morning when I woke up in pain and then the bruises on my legs, arms and butt emerged. There was a hand mark down a wall where I must have tried to break my fall plus there were all manner of things strewn about that I must knocked over during my nocturnal walk about. I could write a book about the weird things I’ve done whilst sleepwalking as an adult.

 

[BeckyFlowers]

Thanks for your replies and well wishes. I’ll fess up. I fell over whilst sleepwalking! I didn’t even wake up at the time and only realised the next morning when I woke up in pain and then the bruises on my legs, arms and butt emerged. There was a hand mark down a wall where I must have tried to break my fall plus there were all manner of things strewn about that I must knocked over during my nocturnal walk about. I could write a book about the weird things I’ve done whilst sleepwalking as an adult.

???

 

[Gloi]

Well that's a rum do, as they say round here