Coccygodynia
Alternate names[edit | edit source]
Coccydynia
Definition[edit | edit source]
Coccygodynia is a rare condition in that causes pain in and around the coccyx (tailbone).
Cause[edit | edit source]
- A number of different causes have been associated with coccygodynia.
- However, the most common cause is a direct fall and injury to the area of the sacrum and coccyx.
- These types of injuries can occur from various activities, examples include a kick, an injury on a trampoline when one hits the bar or springs that surround the trampoline jumping pad, or from falling from a horse or skis.
- Another common cause, exclusive to women, is childbirth. The other most common cause of the condition is pregnancy.
- During the last three months of pregnancy, certain hormones are released in the women's body causing the area between the sacrum and the coccyx to soften and become more mobile.
- The increased mobility may result in permanent stretching and change and causing inflammation of the tissues surrounding the coccyx.
- In about one third of all cases of coccygodynia, the cause is unknown. Other less common causes include nerve damage, cysts such as Tarlov cysts, obesity, and a bursitis like condition that can arise in slim patients who have little buttocks fat padding.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The classic symptom is pain when pressure is applied to the tailbone, such as when sitting on a hard chair. Symptoms usually improve with relief of pressure when standing or walking.
Other symptoms include:
- Immediate and severe pain when moving from sitting to standing
- Pain during bowel movements
- Pain during sex
- Deep ache in the region of the tailbone
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
- Physical examination will reveal tenderness over the coccyx.
- Rectal examination allows the coccyx to be grasped between the forefinger and thumb.
- Manipulation will elicit pain and may reveal hypermobility or hypomobility of the sacrococcygeal joint.
- Normal range of motion should be approximately 13 degrees.
- Other causes of coccyx pain, such as infection etiologies (eg, pilonidal cyst), masses, and pelvic floor muscle spasms, should be ruled out.
- Radiographic images can more closely evaluate for the presence of fractures, degenerative changes, or masses. Imaging studies, including dynamic x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging, can help diagnose sacrococcygeal joint hypermobility or hypomobility.[1].
Treatment[edit | edit source]
- Treatment for coccygodynia generally falls into conservative management or surgical intervention categories.
- The conservative approach typically includes hot sitz baths, NSAIDs, stool softeners, and/or the use of a donut-shaped pillow or gel cushion to descrease pressure and irritation of the coccyx.
- If these treatment options fails, glucocorticoid injections may be used in an attempt to reduce the pain.
- Massage therapy has also been used to help decrease pain, but most studies have shown that the relief experienced from this form of therapy is temporary.
- The more aggressive and rare approach involves either partial or complete removal of the coccyx (coccygectomy).
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Lirette LS, Chaiban G, Tolba R, Eissa H. Coccydynia: an overview of the anatomy, etiology, and treatment of coccyx pain. Ochsner J. 2014 Spring;14(1):84-7. PMID: 24688338; PMCID: PMC3963058.
NIH genetic and rare disease info[edit source]
Coccygodynia is a rare disease.
Coccygodynia Resources | ||
---|---|---|
|
|
Translate to: East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Dr.T