Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

Coccydynia - Tailbone Pain

Back to Patient Education

Introduction

Coccydynia is an uncommon painful condition that originates from the coccyx, the tailbone at the end of the spine.  Trauma and falls are the most frequent causes of coccydynia.  In the vast majority of cases, nonsurgical treatment, such as medications and physical therapy work well to ease symptoms.

Back to top

Anatomy

The spine is composed of a series of bones called vertebrae.  Joints that allow movement while providing stability connect the vertebrae.  The end of the spine, the coccyx, has 3-5 small bones.

The coccyx bones align in a curve like a small tail.  Some of the coccyx bones may be fused together.  However, fewer than 10% of people have a completely fused coccyx.

Muscles, ligaments, and tendons attach to the coccyx.  It plays a role in weight bearing when seated. 
Back to top

Causes

Coccydynia is caused by trauma to the coccyx, such as from a fall, injury during childbirth, or prolonged sitting.  Trauma can cause ligament inflammation or injure the coccyx where it attaches to the spine.  In some cases, the cause is unknown.
Back to top

Symptoms

The primary symptom of coccydynia is pain.  You may experience increased sensitivity to pressure, especially when sitting and leaning backwards.  The area around your tailbone may ache.  Coccydynia can cause pain that shoots down the legs.  It can also contribute to pain during sexual intercourse or bowel movements. 
Back to top

Diagnosis

A doctor can diagnose coccydynia by reviewing your medical history and examining you.  You should tell your doctor if you have fallen or given birth recently.  Imaging tests, such as X-ray or MRI, may be used to rule out other sources of pain.  Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies may be used to assess nerve function.
Back to top

Treatment

Coccydynia is typically first treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.  Your doctor may recommend that you sit on a donut shaped pillow to help relieve tailbone pressure.  It may take several weeks or months for the pain to decrease.

For persistent or severe pain, your doctor may prescribe pain medications.  Local medication injections are used to place numbing and anti-inflammatory medications near the source (joint or bursa) of the pain.  Nerve blocks are used to interrupt a nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals.

Your doctor may gently move (manipulate) the coccyx after you receive a pain relieving injection.  You may be referred to physical therapy for gentle stretching.  Ultrasound therapy may be used, which soothes pain with warmth. 

If treatments fail to relieve symptoms, surgery may be used to remove a portion of the coccyx (coccygectomy).  The short outpatient surgery is successful for relieving symptoms for most people.  However, surgery is very rarely used. 
Back to top

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Footer

Patient Education

Our award-winning patient education library contains over 200 articles with images, videos, and tons of helpful information about orthopedic conditions and treatments.

Learn more

Patient Reviews

We feel fortunate to have received reflections from our patients. We invite you to leave a review as well as read about the experiences others have had.

Blogs and Social Media

View our Blogs and Social Media

Hip and Knee Surgery

A Patient's Guide to Hip Replacement, Hip Resurfacing, and Knee Replacement.

Preview this book and order online on Amazon.

Locations

We have three offices conveniently located throughout western Connecticut:
● Middlebury, CT ● Farmington, CT ● New Milford CT

Copyright © Orthopaedics New England. All rights reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Orthopaedics New England provides orthopedic care to residents of Waterbury, Middlebury, New Milford, Farmington, and surrounding communities in western Connecticut. Our orthopedic surgeons, Dr. John Keggi and Dr. Robert Kennon specialize in hip replacement and resurfacing, knee replacement, revision of failed joint replacements, hip arthroscopy, and adult fracture care.