Coccydynia is the inflammation of the tail bone that is located between the hips. It causes pain and swelling in the tip of the tail bone and this pain is aggravated by sitting. The most common cause for this problem is an injury but many a times no concrete cause can be determined. It is advisable to visit an expert orthopedic doctor and get the requisite treatment for Coccydynia. Read on to more about the causes, symptoms and treatment for the same.
Between three and five bones fuse together to create the coccyx, or tailbone. Positioned at the base of the spine, the coccyx lies inferior to the sacrum. The term coccydynia reflects any pain to the tailbone. Patients often describe coccydynia using terms like achy or piercing pain. Pain may erupt while sitting for long periods of time, or even during bowel movements.
CAUSES:
As mentioned above, Coccydynia generally arises from an injury and causes trouble in the tail bone. However, it is important to diagnose this condition properly because some other problems in the tail bone can show the same symptoms as Coccydynia. These include sciatica, pilonidal cysts or a fractured bone. Coccydynia also affects many women after childbirth. In other instances, continuous activity such as cycling can also lead to this problem. An improper sitting posture can be a contributing factor in causing the onset of Coccydynia. In case you too suffer from discomfort in the tail bone, you must get a thorough check-up done by a back doctor. He will be able to do a correct diagnosis and devise an effective treatment plan.
Coccydynia (tailbone pain) occurs quite frequently. The coccyx absorbs much of the body’s weight while sitting down which can make it difficult for an individual to ignore the pain. Common causes of coccydynia include the following:
- Falling: Falling and landing on the coccyx can cause a great deal of pain and even lead to a serious injury of the coccyx. Falling onto the back or buttocks can cause coccydynia or even fracture or dislocate the coccyx.
- Athletic activities: Certain sports or athletic activities can cause coccydynia. Sports or activities that put strain on the back or require a great amount of repetitive motion of the spine can lead to coccydynia.
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, hormones cause the area between the sacrum and coccyx to soften. The softening allows the coccyx to move during childbirth. The loose tissues may cause the coccyx to move or decrease the support the tissues typically provide to the coccyx. This lack of structural support may lead to coccydynia.
- Obesity: Spine surgeons suggest that each extra pound of weight one carries equals seven pounds of pressure placed on to the spine. Obesity can place a great deal of pressure onto the spine, resulting in the coccyx to slip out of place.
- Sitting on hard or uncomfortable surfaces
SYMPTOMS:
Following is a list of symptoms associated with coccydynia: Pain and discomfort at the lower end of the spine where the coccyx is located. The pain can worsen with the passage of time. The affected person might feel difficulty in performing daily activities such as sitting, driving or bending down. The sitting position can aggravate the pain of coccydynia. It becomes very prominent if you lean backward. Apart from the above-mentioned symptoms, a patient of coccydynia experiences a lot of discomfort while sitting on a soft surface.
How Do Physicians Diagnose Coccydynia?
To diagnose coccydynia, the orthopedic physician starts with a physical examination. During a physical examination, the orthopedic specialist asks the patient about their medical history and inquires about their everyday lifestyle and activities in order to figure out what prompted the tailbone pain. Next, the physician palpates the coccyx and spine and tests the patient’s range of motion. While palpating, the physician looks for any abscesses or potential tumors that may cause the pain. To confirm the diagnosis, the physician uses diagnostic testing. Diagnostic testing can rule out any tumor or fractures of the coccyx. Diagnostic testing may include X-ray, MRI, CT scan, bone scan or a combination of multiple.
TREATMENT:
The condition of coccydynia is generally diagnosed by an orthopedic doctor after completely examining the symptoms being displayed by the patient. Your doctor can also conduct an X-Ray or MRI scan to rule out any other problem that causes pain in the coccyx. The treatment method basically involves advising the patient to use only a well-padded seat and also avoid prolonged periods of sitting. However, if this does not work and the pain gets worse, other treatment options need to be explored. It is important to take proper rest in case you suffer from coccydynia.
Careful measures must be taken so that the injury does not recur. Also, your doctor can give you anti-inflammatory medicines to relieve pain and discomfort. In rare cases, the orthopedic doctors can even resort to surgery in order to remove the prominent part of the tail bone that causes trouble.
How Do Orthopedic Specialists Treat Coccydynia?
For most individuals experiencing coccydynia, the condition goes away with activity modifications and time. The treating physician may also recommend some remedies to alleviate the pain. Patients should always ask a doctor about at-home treatments before performing them. Some at-home remedies to treat and alleviate coccydynia include:
- Taking over-the-counter or prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
- Taking stool softeners to help with bowel movements
- Decreasing the amount of time spent sitting
- Applying ice or heating packs over the affected area
If at-home remedies and time do not work to alleviate the pain, the treating physician may recommend additional treatments. Other treatments include:
- Physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the surrounding muscles
- Coccygeal nerve block
- Massage therapy
If conservative treatments do not work, the surgeon may have to perform surgery. The two surgical options to treat coccydynia include a partial coccygectomy and a total coccygectomy. Both surgeries are extremely rare. Coccygectomies involve removing part of or the entire coccyx.