The Chainlink

Anyone ever break/bruise their tailbone and still ride their bike? Advice?

About a week and a half ago, I fell directly on my tailbone. It looked pretty bruised up and the pain is pretty bad after doing any activity- cycling and even walking. Silly me, I tried to ride my bike the day after, and it seemed that it was okay, just a little pain as long as I didn't come to a stop-when I found that pedaling from a dead stop shot excruciating pain up and down my rear end and back. Also, any type of hill or incline also produced the same painful result, no matter what gear I was in.  Needless to say, I haven't been on my bike all that much since then.

I am probably going to see my doctor this week, although if my tailbone is broken, I have read there isn't much to cure it or make it heal any faster, except that a doc could give me pain meds or maybe some corticosteroid shots. This really sucks as I have not been able to commute to work via bicycle unless I want to punish myself and standing/sitting on public transit is almost as uncomfortable as cycling- luckily, my wonderful husband has been driving me to work, which is wasting gas money, but keeps me from hurting.

Anyone have any experience with this? Any suggestions for how long I may need to sit out cycling or maybe a way I can fashion a donut cushion bike seat LOL. I would appreciate any advice. I am sure the doctor is going to tell me to rest, although I have been resting it for almost 2 weeks, and it doesn't seem to feel much better. 

I'm not asking for a medical opinion, just if anyone has experienced this and what has been tried out that worked or not worked. 

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Adam Kitzmann on May 2, 2012 at 6:41pm

I blasted my tailbone pretty good last summer (Hit by a car, side mirror slammed me right in that spot). It took about 2-3 weeks to be able to move somewhat normally and about 3 months to be at 100%. I was riding after about a month or so. Sorry to hear that, my tailbone f-up was one of the worst injuries I've had in a long time. 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 2, 2012 at 7:38pm

I've managed to fracture my coccyx twice - once by getting doored and landing hard on my butt in the middle of the street, once by slipping and falling on ice, landing hard on my butt.  I definitely recommend getting a medical opinion ASAP after being in significant pain for 2 weeks.

I'll second Tom's recommendation of arnica gel for bruised areas.  I've found it helpful for bruising or sore muscles.

When I had my fractures, I was able to ride without much pain - sitting upright, or leaning forward.  With my injuries, my doctor explained that slouching or leaning back was most likely to put pressure on the injured area and cause pain, possibly slowing the healing process, depending on exact position.

Please don't take that as a medical opinion on your injury, which may be somewhat different from mine.  In each case, my doctor said it would take about 3 months to heal if there was no additional stress on the area or reinjury.  I was able to protect it fairly well, and that time frame was fairly accurate.  He okayed me to ride if I was careful.  Standing up on the pedals to avoid direct impact from rough pavement was part of how I protected the injured area.  I found riding less painful than sitting in my office chair.  Your mileage may vary, depending on the specifics of your injury.


When you get a diagnosis, please ask your doctor what activities/positions are or are not workable with your particular injury.  If your doctor is also a cyclist (as my orthopedist is) or has a good understanding, he/she may be in a better position to make bike-specific recommendations for you.  Good luck!  Wishing you the fastest healing possible.

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