Coccyx or Sacrum Bruise (Contusion) (Child)
Your child has a bruise (contusion) of the tailbone (coccyx) or sacrum. The tailbone and the area above it (sacrum) are at the base of the spine, near the top of the buttocks. This area is not protected by much fat or muscle. A fall directly on this area may cause a bruise of the coccyx. This is commonly called a bruised tailbone. A bruised tailbone is often very painful. As it heals, the bruise will typically change from a red color to purple-blue, to greenish-yellow, then to yellow-brown. Swelling takes days or weeks to go away. The bruise may go away in a few weeks. Pain may take a few weeks to 1 month or longer to go away.
Home care
Follow these guidelines when caring for your child at home:
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Your child’s health care provider may prescribe medicines for pain and inflammation. Follow all instructions for giving these to your child.
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Use cool compresses, cold packs, or ice packs to help reduce swelling and pain. A cool compress is a clean cloth that’s damp with cold water. Use this on a baby or toddler. A cold pack is a gel pouch that's put in the freezer to chill. It’s then wrapped in a thin, dry cloth before use. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a thin, dry cloth. Cold packs and ice packs are for older children. Apply one of these to the bruised area for up to 20 minutes. Repeat this every hour while your child is awake. Continue for 1 or 2 days or as instructed.
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Allow your child to rest as needed.
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Ask your child’s provider what position your child should sleep in.
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Don't let your child sit for long periods of time. It may help for your child to sit on a pillow or doughnut-shaped cushion. This is to ease pressure on the area.
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After stopping the use of cold on the area and after all swelling has resolved, start using warm compresses. A warm compress is a clean cloth that’s damp with warm water. Apply this to the area for 10 minutes, several times a day.
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Follow any other instructions you were given.
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Keep in mind that bruising may take several weeks to go away.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child's health care provider, or as advised.
Special note to parents
Health care providers are trained to see injuries such as this in young children as a sign of possible abuse. You may be asked questions about how your child was injured. Providers must, by law, ask you these questions. This is done to protect your child. Please try to be patient.
When to get medical advice
Contact your child's health care provider right away if your child has:
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Bruising that gets worse.
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Pain or swelling that doesn't get better, or gets worse.
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Trouble with peeing or bowel movements.
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Numbness or weakness in the groin or legs.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Dan Brennan MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Liora C Adler MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Marianne Fraser MSN RN
Date Last Reviewed:
1/1/2025
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.