Believe it or not! My friend who just started his PT sessions for his frozen (right) shoulder just made his situation a bit more challenging. He was trying to adjust his sitting position at home and slipped off the chair and fell (rear-end first) on the hardwood floor. Ouch! He said it was so painful that he could not move or breathe for a bit. Once he was able to get up with the assistance of his wife, he was taken to the same orthopedic clinic who diagnosed his frozen shoulder. This time they took X-rays on the target area, and it was confirmed he fractured his tailbone. Ouch!
The prognosis? According to the doctor at the clinic, it will heal naturally in about 6 weeks. They will not administer any non-steroid injections for the pain and did not set up any appointments for his fractured tailbone. Surgery, in his case, did not appear to be an option, too. The only suggestions she provided were to take NSAIDs, and if not that, then other OTC painkiller meds (the “Extra Strength” versions) and use a doughnut cushion while sitting.
So far, his PT sessions for his frozen shoulder is going well, and he stated that he is getting back his range of motion a little at a time. It is still a bit painful, and he is now able to raise his right hand slowly and cautiously. He is contending with his fractured tailbone and has purchased a portable toilet chair with a U-shaped cushion for his sitting comfort. I thought that was a novel idea! As long as the tailbone is not touched, he can sit with comfort. He has also cut down on taking the OTC (“Extra Strength”) painkiller meds, taking at most two caplets every other day. So far so good on both ends.
I presume his tailbone fracture was not serious. And thank goodness for that. I did some checking on the web regarding treatments for a fractured tailbone, and here is what the site, HealthLine, had to say about it:
“A broken or bruised tailbone is usually treated without surgery. It is successful in 90 percent of cases. Physical therapy and the use of special cushions are the most common and effective forms of treatment.
Other nonsurgical treatments include:
- pelvic floor rehabilitation
- manual manipulation and massage
- electrical nerve stimulation
- steroid injections
- nerve block
- spinal cord stimululation”
Since the orthopedic clinic doctor did not recommend PT or surgery for my friend’s fractured tailbone, I presume that it was not a serious condition for him. And that is good news! My friend mentioned that he will continue with his PT and give his tailbone the best kid gloves treatment possible while he grinds it out for the duration. And, I wish him well.
To Your Success & Freedom,
Glenn Shimabukuro
