What are some symptoms of a bruised tailbone?

Symptoms of a bruised tailbone include inflammation at the base of the spine, lower back pain, numbness when sitting, painful bowel movements and pain above the buttocks, according to MedlinePlus. Serious symptoms, such as leg weakness, prolonged constipation and sudden swelling or numbness, require the attention of the doctor.

A bruised tailbone occurs when there is injury to one of the five bones of the coccyx, such as when falling backwards onto a hard surface, explains MedlinePlus. Healing from a bruised tailbone is slow and very painful, lasting about a month. When symptoms do not improve after six months or so of injury, doctors may recommend surgery to remove part of the coccyx.