Busted Tailbone won't heal completely

Memphis Mud · 2004-06-04, 08:13 PM

OK its been a year since the 5 foot giraffe kicked me in the boohiney. It has healed to the point that I always am aware of it, but it only really "hurts" after a unicycle ride of more than an hour or two. Road rides and giraffe rides hurt more sooner because I sit heavy in the saddle in those cases. This is generally the only thing that keeps me from riding more than 13 or 15 miles on the 29er. I can MUni long enough to exhaust my energy because I stop often (giving coccyx a break) and stand on the pedals more.

A buddy said that with a strong enough hit, you can break that coccyx bone right off so it just floats around and therefore is easy to inflame.

No, I haven't seen or talked to a doctor. I thought I'd check with my Uni-braintrust first.

Should I:
Consult a real doctor?
Stay off the uni for 6 months?
take plenty of Ibuprofen?
have the thing surgically removed?
Settle in, because I'll have to deal with it forever?
Only ride MUni?

ChangingLINKS.com · 2004-06-04, 08:29 PM

Yep.
The obvious choice is double up on the off-road riding.

One on one · 2004-06-04, 08:37 PM

I think that you should wait a little longer. After all it's only been 1 year.
Seriously, a doctor and an x-ray will probably let you know what is going on. Then you'll know if there's anything that can be done about it. There is the risk of the doctor wanting you to perform a unibuttdectomy. (unicycle removed from your butt for the rest of your life)
It's really good that you allow fellow unicyclists to help make health decisions for you. Good luck.

johnfoss · 2004-06-04, 08:59 PM

Doctor my ass!

Let me rephrase that: "Doctor, my ass!"

In other words, listen to us all you want. If it were my tailbone, I think I'd consider it worth a doctor visit. A doctor, probably and an X-ray are the only ways to know for sure what's going on. It might just be one of those things that takes a long time to heal completely, but what if it isn't?

Meanwhile, for road riding, use a handle if you don't already have one. I can't imagine riding my Coker to work without the handle setup I have. Not just the built-in seat handle, but something additional. Mine is a Wyganowski handle, but any type will help, to give you an ergonomically decent place to lean part of your weight as you ride.

Then take breaks as necessary.

cyberbellum · 2004-06-04, 11:50 PM

Naw, I wouldn't bother seeing a doctor.

The tailbone is vestigal and only has a couple of functions. It protects the nerves that connect your bladder, rectum and sexual organs to your brain, and it holds a few minor supporting muscles in your hips. The worst that can happen is that there is a break that will eventually pinch that nerve and you'll be incontinent, impotent and walk funny. On the bright side, you wouldn't be able to feel the saddle chafing, and the adult diapers will be a little cushier than normal bike shorts.

Your choice.

DudleyDoRide · 2004-06-05, 01:23 AM

My vote is that you should see a doctor & have it x-rayed. Get it taken care of before you end up doing more damage. Waiting a year after an injury seem like a long time, call your doctor.

I hope that you will be riding pain free soon.

Gene

grumpygreymatter · 2004-06-05, 02:06 AM

A doctor will likely tell you that the tail bone cannot be "repaired", since it is unlikely you will be standing for the remainder of your life. He, or she, will also let you know that the best way to minimize the damage is to stay off it until it heals.

My mother broke her tail bone jumping off the back of a set of bleachers when I was still in high school. It's been twenty years, and it still gives her a little trouble. She doesn't seem to compain about it much, but that could be due to the fact that she's over 2,000 miles away, and we don't talk every day.

Good luck.

andrew_carter · 2004-06-05, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Doctor my ass!
Let me rephrase that: "Doctor, my ass!"

Good one!

unibiker · 2004-06-05, 02:41 AM

Sorry to hear about this injury. My lurking (and riding) has been spotty at best, since the back trouble (which also occurred just about a year ago).
GET THE X-RAY ALREADY!!! A year is too long. I waited also, and regret it. I'm now undergoing spinal injections, which by the way may be of some help in your case.

Say hello to the MUC gang.

PopeSamXVI · 2004-06-05, 03:42 AM

Good God! See a doctor immediately. But then, that's my solution to any discomfort. I'm kind of a Hypochondriac (and I once played one, but that's another story). I should have to live in any discomfort and neither should you! That's why we have technology!

GizmoDuck · 2004-06-05, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnfoss
Doctor my ass!

Let me rephrase that: "Doctor, my ass!"

2004-06-04, 08:13 PM	#1
Memphis Mud Student of GrandMaster 2T Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Memphis, TN Age: 54 Posts: 1,021	Busted Tailbone won't heal completely OK its been a year since the 5 foot giraffe kicked me in the boohiney. It has healed to the point that I always am aware of it, but it only really "hurts" after a unicycle ride of more than an hour or two. Road rides and giraffe rides hurt more sooner because I sit heavy in the saddle in those cases. This is generally the only thing that keeps me from riding more than 13 or 15 miles on the 29er. I can MUni long enough to exhaust my energy because I stop often (giving coccyx a break) and stand on the pedals more. A buddy said that with a strong enough hit, you can break that coccyx bone right off so it just floats around and therefore is easy to inflame. No, I haven't seen or talked to a doctor. I thought I'd check with my Uni-braintrust first. Should I: Consult a real doctor? Stay off the uni for 6 months? take plenty of Ibuprofen? have the thing surgically removed? Settle in, because I'll have to deal with it forever? Only ride MUni?

2004-06-04, 08:29 PM	#2
ChangingLINKS.com member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: near Austin, TX Age: 40 Posts: 794	Yep. The obvious choice is double up on the off-road riding. __________________ Wishing you Happiness, Joy and Laughter, Drew Brown Changing LINKS

2004-06-04, 08:37 PM	#3
One on one Dances with roots Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: South of Boston, Massachusetts, USA Age: 55 Posts: 981	I think that you should wait a little longer. After all it's only been 1 year. Seriously, a doctor and an x-ray will probably let you know what is going on. Then you'll know if there's anything that can be done about it. There is the risk of the doctor wanting you to perform a unibuttdectomy. (unicycle removed from your butt for the rest of your life) It's really good that you allow fellow unicyclists to help make health decisions for you. Good luck. Last edited by One on one; 2004-06-04 at 08:40 PM.

2004-06-04, 08:59 PM	#4
johnfoss North Shore ridin' Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 14,929	Doctor my ass! Let me rephrase that: "Doctor, my ass!" In other words, listen to us all you want. If it were my tailbone, I think I'd consider it worth a doctor visit. A doctor, probably and an X-ray are the only ways to know for sure what's going on. It might just be one of those things that takes a long time to heal completely, but what if it isn't? Meanwhile, for road riding, use a handle if you don't already have one. I can't imagine riding my Coker to work without the handle setup I have. Not just the built-in seat handle, but something additional. Mine is a Wyganowski handle, but any type will help, to give you an ergonomically decent place to lean part of your weight as you ride. Then take breaks as necessary. __________________ John Foss "jfoss" at "unicycling.com" www.unicycling.com "Unicycling is a way of looking at the world, making a choice to slow down, finish what you start, doing things not because they're easy, but because they're a challenge." -- Nurse Ben

2004-06-04, 11:50 PM	#5
cyberbellum Level 1.0 rider! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Arlington, Virginia Posts: 450	Naw, I wouldn't bother seeing a doctor. The tailbone is vestigal and only has a couple of functions. It protects the nerves that connect your bladder, rectum and sexual organs to your brain, and it holds a few minor supporting muscles in your hips. The worst that can happen is that there is a break that will eventually pinch that nerve and you'll be incontinent, impotent and walk funny. On the bright side, you wouldn't be able to feel the saddle chafing, and the adult diapers will be a little cushier than normal bike shorts. Your choice. __________________ I was standing in the park wondering why frisbees get bigger as they get closer. Then it hit me.

2004-06-05, 01:23 AM	#6
DudleyDoRide Municyclist Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Salem, Oregon Age: 52 Posts: 44	My vote is that you should see a doctor & have it x-rayed. Get it taken care of before you end up doing more damage. Waiting a year after an injury seem like a long time, call your doctor. I hope that you will be riding pain free soon. Gene

2004-06-05, 02:06 AM	#7
grumpygreymatter What the...? Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boise, Idaho, USA Posts: 1	A doctor will likely tell you that the tail bone cannot be "repaired", since it is unlikely you will be standing for the remainder of your life. He, or she, will also let you know that the best way to minimize the damage is to stay off it until it heals. My mother broke her tail bone jumping off the back of a set of bleachers when I was still in high school. It's been twenty years, and it still gives her a little trouble. She doesn't seem to compain about it much, but that could be due to the fact that she's over 2,000 miles away, and we don't talk every day. Good luck. __________________ We had a few beers and decided to try fly-fishing while mounted on a muni - unfortunately, there are no photos, as all present were laughing too hard to hold the camera. We're looking for someone with no sense of humor to document further attempts...or, a tripod.

2004-06-05, 02:41 AM	#9
unibiker What is that thing anyway? Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lawton, OK Age: 53 Posts: 203	Sorry to hear about this injury. My lurking (and riding) has been spotty at best, since the back trouble (which also occurred just about a year ago). GET THE X-RAY ALREADY!!! A year is too long. I waited also, and regret it. I'm now undergoing spinal injections, which by the way may be of some help in your case. Say hello to the MUC gang. __________________ Jeff Baker jeff@unibiker.com MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!!! > > > > Unibiker's Photo Gallery

2004-06-05, 03:42 AM	#10
PopeSamXVI Bea Arthur Look-alike 2nd Place Join Date: May 2004 Location: La Jolla, California Age: 25 Posts: 760	Good God! See a doctor immediately. But then, that's my solution to any discomfort. I'm kind of a Hypochondriac (and I once played one, but that's another story). I should have to live in any discomfort and neither should you! That's why we have technology! __________________ Giving a good title to a short story is like selling real estate to a small dog: it's an art unto itself, and it's completely futile, because no one reads short stories anyway, because obviously dogs have no need for real estate.

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