Where is the Coccyx Located?

Generally speaking, our bones are very healthy without external forces or bacterial infections. However, accidents can also lead to fractures or bone cracks. The coccyx is actually a bone located below the coccyx and near the buttocks, and it can also be injured if one falls accidentally. The coccyx is located below the sacrum, which is the end of the spine. It is the last bone of the vertebral column and can be felt by tracing down the spine. Its proximal end is connected to the sacrum by fibrous cartilage, and usually, the range of motion of this joint is greater in women than in men, especially during pregnancy. Humans have degenerated tails externally, but they still retain coccyx bones. The coccyx usually consists of three to four small bones connected together, forming the sacrococcygeal joint with the sacrum. There are also intercoccygeal joints between the coccyx bones.

Precautions: The coccyx itself is attached by the coccygeal ligament, gluteus maximus, coccygeal muscles, anal sphincter, and levator ani muscles. In men, the position of the coccyx is thicker than the ischial tuberosity, providing better protection when impacted. However, in women, due to the wider and flatter pelvic cavity, the coccyx is relatively easy to be bruised when falling.

Treatment of Coccyx Fractures: The typical manifestations of fracture patients include local deformation, abnormal movements of limbs, and audible bone rubbing sounds when moving the limbs. Additionally, there may be severe pain, local swelling, and bruising at the wound, as well as motor dysfunction after the injury. The ultimate goal of fracture treatment is to restore the function of the injured limb to the maximum extent. Therefore, the three basic principles of reduction, fixation, and functional exercise are crucial in fracture treatment.

1. Reduction refers to restoring the fractured ends that have shifted after a fracture to their normal or near-normal anatomical relationship, in order to re-establish the scaffolding role of the bone. Methods of reduction include closed reduction and surgical reduction.

2. After reduction, the fracture may be unstable and prone to re-displacement. Therefore, different methods are used to fix it in a satisfactory position to allow gradual healing. Common fixation methods include small splints, plaster bandages, external fixation braces, traction brakes, etc. These fixation methods are called external fixation. If fixation is achieved through surgical incision using steel plates, pins, intramedullary pins, screws, etc., it is called internal fixation.

3. Functional exercise involves increasing blood circulation around the fracture site through muscle contraction of the injured limb, promoting fracture healing, and preventing muscle atrophy. Active or passive movement of unfixed joints can also prevent joint adhesions, joint capsule contractions, and other issues, enabling the injured limb to recover its function as quickly as possible to its normal state before the fracture.