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Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)

About

  • Pain in/around the area of the coccyx, also called the tailbone

Potential Causes

  • Childbirth
  • Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
  • Poor posture
  • Ageing
  • Being overweight/underweight
  • Infection/cancer (Both very rare)

Symptoms

  • Pain when pressure is applied to the tailbone
  • Immediate and severe pain when moving from sitting to standing position
  • Pain during bowel movements
  • Pain during sex
  • Deep ache in the region of the tailbone

Diagnosis

  • Medical history: To find out if you’ve had any particular past/recent injury, prolonged labor or an injury while giving birth
  • Physical exam: To check for obvious fracture, deformity, mass or an abscess (infection)
  • Lateral X-ray/CT scan: To check for fracture
  • MRI/Bone scan: If deemed necessary to check for inflammation/spine tumour

Treatment

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen/Naproxen
  • Therapeutic sitting cushion: To take the pressure off the tailbone when sitting
  • Pelvic physiotherapy: To include exercise to stretch the ligaments and strengthen the supporting muscles
  • Coccygeal manipulation: To move the coccyx back into its proper position and relieve pain
  • Multidisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation program
  • Heat application
  • Massage therapy
  • Coccygectomy: Surgery to remove the coccyx (Severe cases only)