Broken tailbone in WDW

[lauracitawita]

Hi,

Three weeks ago I broke my tailbone. We have a trip to WDW planned (and paid in full) for October 20th-27th.

I spoke with a friend that broke her tailbone over a year ago and she said at three months in she would have been able to enjoy her vacation.

I just wanted to hear some more opinions. I don't want to be in pain and bring everyone else down. I really, really, really don't want to postpone though! We will lose the money we paid for MNSSHP and our flights...not a huge amount of money, but still don't love the idea of losing it.

Tell me I'll be ok!

 

[blue65829]

I do think you'll be okay - but you may not be comfortable sitting for long periods of time, if you go to a lot of shows it may get painful.

Of course I find that to be true 13 years after having broken my tailbone, IMO it doesn't ever really heal all the way.

Also you may want to watch out for the rides that jerk you around the most, primeval whirl for one, that could be a problem.

I don't think it will impact your trip that badly though.

 

[ttintagel]

I've busted my butt-bone before, and I think you'll be OK. You may end up wanting to take it easier than usual, and as blue65829 says, some rides may make you sore (I'm thinking of Space Mountain.) Whatever you're taking for pain at that point, make sure you take it regularly on those days and not wait until it really starts hurting.

 

[sydsmom1997]

I've broken my tailbone twice. The first was in a rogue ATV accident, and the second was about 12 months later roller skating. (I had a bad couple of bum years!) I found that the second time took an awful long time to heal. I think that your trip is do-able, but you just need to baby it a little. Avoid things that will have to make you sit on hard surfaces for long periods and rides that will thrash you around a bit (Space Mountain, BTMR, and maybe Dinosaur). I wouldn't let it ruin my trip. If something hurts, just sit it out and then do something more tame. Until you leave, just take it as easy as possible. Sit on soft surfaces and rest. Best wishes on the bum!

 

[cuchu2005]

You should be ok. Stay away from the Safari. Those trucks bump a lot! Mx

 

[Scotico]

I broke my tailbone snowboarding one year. It took me about 6 months until I can sit comfortably for a long period of time. Bring an inflatable donut or cushion with you. It helped me some. Also, stay off the bumpy rides.

 

[lauracitawita]

Thanks for all of your quick responses! I feel very optimistic. I will avoid the rides mentioned for sure.

Thanks again!

 

[Freezing Cold B]

I've broken my tailbone twice too. Once playing soccer about 14 years ago, and then I fell down the stairs in Feb. If you're flying or driving more than an hour I would make sure to take a donut and Tylenol with. Walking I was fine, sitting for short spurts I was fine, but longer periods of time I was in epic pain. Once I started to use the donut it quit hurting entirely within a few weeks. I quit using the donut after about two months.

 

[disneychic]

You should be ok. Stay away from the Safari. Those trucks bump a lot! Mx

I agree and also rides like Dinosaur,BTMRR, Star Tours - pretty much anything that's really "jerky" and you should be ok. Have a great trip!

 

[Raenstoirm]

I broke mine snowboarding a few years back. I was pretty good after 3 months. I will warn you be careful how you roll on your butt when getting up. It took me almost a year before I could do a sit-up, for example. That rolling motion of the pelvis nearly took my breath away for a long time. At least for me, I would have been ok with rides that I sat "on" as oppose to "in" (space, astro orbitor, etc). I would consider bringing a donut for shows since the benches are rough on everybody's butts!

 

[100acrewoodsfan]

I broke my tail bone twice within 2 months so I understand your pain. By 3 months out you will still be sore but mostly when you sit for longer periods or ride something extra bumpy. I would agree with the others to bring a donut to sit on for shows. Try not to lean back when you sit down. I know it's tempting to lean back and rest but if I lean forward or sit upright it doesn't hurt as bad.

Remember to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen every day whether you are hurting at the time or not. You don't want to wait till you are hurting and then have to wait longer for the meds to kick in.

For around your house if you have a boppy or a friend with in infant has one try sitting on that. It was a life saver for me. The hole was the perfect size to stick an ice pack in while I sat on it.

 

[MrsDrewsky]

From when my husband broke his we learned the fracture would usually heal in 8 weeks, it's the inflammation in the surrounding muscles that will cause pain.

I unknowingly had two slipped discs in my lower back when we went last year, I'm sure it's not the same, but definitely painful. I still rode everything, and the only ride that gave me a problem was IASW. The very end when the boat enters the queue is really bumpy.

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

I fractured mine 7 weeks before we left, and I was fine on most anything, except the Safari. Great Scott, that hurt. Even Space Mtn was okay.

 

[DisneyDetective]

I do think you'll be okay - but you may not be comfortable sitting for long periods of time, if you go to a lot of shows it may get painful.

Of course I find that to be true 13 years after having broken my tailbone, IMO it doesn't ever really heal all the way.

Also you may want to watch out for the rides that jerk you around the most, primeval whirl for one, that could be a problem.

I don't think it will impact your trip that badly though.

Was thinking the same thing. Even with my back okay I know coming off some rides that my back is sore (ESP Space Mountain) so would avoid jerky, fast moving rides.

 

[ttintagel]

If you get to meet Eeyore, you'll have something to bond over.

 

[Disneykidsdad]

Remember...
A sore butt in Disney World is better than a sore butt at home!!

 

[matheke]

I also broke mine about 10 years ago and it still gives me trouble. No two breaks are the same and some heal better than others. When going to shows try to stay by the aisle, so if need be, you can stand up and walk to the back.

The rides don't bother me as much as sitting does on hard surfaces.

Dan