Tailbone Trauma
Alternate Names : Coccyx Injury
Tailbone trauma is any injury that occurs to the coccyx or tailbone, which is found at the base of the spine.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
Usually, tailbone trauma occurs when a person falls backward onto the tailbone and lands on a hard surface. This happens more often to elderly people. It is also more likely to occur when walking on very slick surfaces, such as a wet or polished floor or ice.
Tailbone trauma may also be caused by a direct blow to the area or by strain during childbirth.
The factors that increase an individual's risk for tailbone trauma include the following:
arthritis
certain medicines, such as corticosteroids
contact sports, such as football
a diet low in calcium
obesity or
overweight
osteoporosis, or
bone thinning
poor balance or
dizziness
pregnancy
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