Are you suffering from Tailbone Pain(Coccyx Pain) ? This Blog is for you... Get Tail Bone Pain Relief !!

COCCYX PAIN / TAILBONE PAIN / COCCYDYNIA

We are sorry to hear that you're experiencing Tail Bone Pain. It is commonly known as Coccydynia which is a painful condition affecting Tail bone/ Coccyx Region.

Coccydynia needs specialist to deal!! 

The word coccyx is derived from the Greek word kokkyx ("cuckoo"), on the basis of this structure’s resemblance to the shape of a cuckoo’s beak

Coccyx bone resemblance to cuckoo beak

What Are The CAUSES of Tail Bone pain?

 Direct Trauma : Landing on Buttocks

 Dynamic Instability : mobility at sacrococcygeal joint in sitting vs Standing position

 Abnormal Morphology (types of coccyx) / Bony Spur arising from Coccyx

 Childbirth 

 Malignancy (Chordomas)

 Infection/ Pilonidal Sinus

 Urogenital/Piles

 Unknown/ Idiopathic

Few known Causes of Coccydynia

Morphology of Coccyx

Hypermobility @sacracoccygeal Joint

  There are few RISK FACTORS for developing Tail Bone Pain

Female

Obesity/Rapid Weight Loss

Contact Sports 

 How to identify that you have Tail bone Pain?

 location of pain @ Tail Bone

   Pain Worse on Sitting Leaned Back Position 

•    Pain Worsens While Getting Up or during sitting
•    Pain improves when leaning forwards or to a side
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•    Pain Worsens While Defecation or Intercourse or Menstrual periods 

What Investigations do we need to do for Coccydynia?

Consult Your Doctor before getting Investigations done as it will be different for each patient.

Usually, X-ray of Coccyx in standing & sitting position will be done to begin with. Based on your symptoms, CT SCAN / MRI SCAN of Coccyx will be ordered to diagnose & plan Treatment as well. 

CT Scan of Coccyx showing Fracture

MRI Coccyx showing Sacrococcygeal Tumour

What are The Treatment Options for Tail Bone Pain? 

1. Pain medications like  NSAIDS can help in reducing pain & inflammation 

2.Use Sacral Donut pillow to offload your Tail Bone / Coccyx.  

Donut Pillow

4. Avoid sitting in leaning backwards position & Sit leaning forward to offload the Coccyx/Tail Bone

5.Sitz bath- Hot & Cold therapy 

6.Pelvic Floor Exercises 

7. Yoga to relax pelvic musculature: Sethubandasana, Dhanurasana, Pavanmuktasana, Bhujangasana

8.Weight Reduction

9.Laxative if required

10. Avoid prolonged sitting , Take a break every 30 min

11. Do not wear clothes that are tight around your bottom and lower back, like some types of jeans

12. Avoid prolonged driving/cycling/horse-riding

what to do if the above measures doesn't help in reducing Tail bone pain?

When the regular medications & lifestyle modifications does not offer Tail Bone pain relief, consider to get Corticosteroid injection into sacrococcygeal joint or Ganglion Impar Block combined with manipulation.

Injection procedures help in breaking pain cycle by reducing inflammation. They are performed by Spine Specialists. This is a day care procedure done in operation theatre under image intensifier. 

The effectiveness of  injection varies from person to person and the best outcomes will depend on the underlying cause of your pain.

What if Injections doesn't offer Tail Bone pain Relief? 

Surgery is typically considered for Coccydynia, or tailbone pain, when conservative treatments, such as pain medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, have not been effective in providing relief. 

Surgery may also be recommended in cases where the pain is severe and affects daily activities or if there is a structural abnormality causing the pain.

 In general, surgery for Coccydynia is considered to be a last resort, and only recommended when all other options have been exhausted. This is because surgery for tailbone pain can be complex and has potential risks and complications, such as infection, bleeding, and nerve damage.

Coccygectomy: Is the Surgical procedure of choice which involves removing the affected portion of the tailbone. This procedure is typically recommended in cases where there is a structural abnormality or injury causing the pain.

 It's important to have a thorough evaluation by a doctor who specializes in the treatment of tailbone pain to determine if surgery is the best option for you. The doctor will consider the severity of your pain, the underlying cause of your pain, and your overall health before recommending a course of treatment. If surgery is recommended, the doctor will discuss the specific procedure that is best suited for your specific situation and the risks and benefits of the procedure

For More Details, Consult