text: my mom is old...got fracture,what to do now? my mom fell down on her back...i took her to e.r...x-ray showed a fracture in tail bone about 5 mm. they do not recommend surgery...just pain killer. doctor said " she might have to take pain medicine always."  i want to know ,..does this kind of fracture heal without surgery?  she is very brave and is still walking. it is not hair line it is seperated. the bone will heal on its own.  those are probably one of the few displaced fractures that doesn't require surgery.  i don't know how old your mom is, but those in their60's and 70's tend to heal a little slower.  women also have the unfortunate condition called osteoporosis when they get older, which will also slow down the healing time.    like i mentioned, not all fractures or breaks require surgical repair.  clavicle fractures (collar bone) will be left in their broken position and sent home to follow up with an orthopaedic doctor.  i would recommend an ortho follow up, just to make sure she is healing properly and no neurological deficits occur.