The coccyx is the rudimentary tail bone of lower animal forms. It is a cone shape section of spine composed of four or five segments. These segments tend to fuse with growth. The sacrococcygeal junction remains movable throughout life.
The coccyx is in constant motion because of its muscular attachments, especially in the act of defecation. Coccyx moves forward and acts as shock absorber when pressure is exerted against posterior aspect of bone in sitting.
Pain about the coccyx results from local conditions and is widely known as coccygodynia.
A fall, hit or obstetric trauma can result in sprain of sacrococcygeal ligaments. The acts of sitting and defecation continually strain the already injured ligaments. This results in constant discomfort and increasing on sitting or defecation.
Subluxation of sacrococcygeal joint is another cause of pain. If untreated it leads to narrowing and sclerosis over years. On sitting on hard surface, a pressure point develops over the tip of the bone.
Fracture and dislocation of coccyx leads to a painful pseudoarthrosis or a degenerative arthritis with stiff sacrococcygeal joint.
Painful tender nodules and glomus tumor are other causes of coccygodynia.
The treatment of coccygodynia includes
- Hot sitz baths
- A rubber ring or pillow to be used while sitting
- Injection of local anesthetic about the joint.
- Manipulation of coccyx under anesthesia
- Coccygectomy or removal of cocccyxin resistant cases.
I have an 80 persent dislocated tailbone they want to remove it. I’m 45 years old and scared, what are the negatives or repocutions to this procedure hope you can help me with can’t find a doctor in oregon and had to go to Idaho I need a second opinion on this thank you. Also I work road construction Driving truck and equiptment that is how I dilocated my tailbone.
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
@Matt Hammond,
Removal of the dislocated coccyx is a relatively safe procedure but like all procedures carries a risk associated with surgery.
If your pain is troublesome enough and as you suggested you have a dislocation, surgery can have good results in your case.
Do not consider this as professional advice. Do discuss pros and cons with your doctor.
Hi, I came across this site while searching for inormation about coccydynia, I have been told I have a congenital failed segmentation of the lumbosacral junction, and also coccydynia, I had fusion surgery for a unstable burst T12, and also been told I have kyphosis, with a hemi-vertrebra at T12, and limbus vertrebra at L3, marked degeneration of the spine, and schmorls nodes thorughout, with dysmorphic facet joints at T12-L1 and L5-S1.
I have been told there is nothing they can do but offer pain management, and I was wondering if there was any other option available, I have recently been told that the kyphosis is also causing pressure on my left kidney, and I’m due to have a kidney scan shortly.
I feel as though the cocydynia is parlty the reason for the kyphosis, as when I sit down it feels like I’m sitting on my sacrum and pelvis rather than the bones below the pelvis, so making the kyphosis worst, as my pelvis isn;t supporting my spine. I have terrible sciatic pain, chronic tight hamstrings, and walking is increasingly difficult.
Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
I’m 36 years old, and if there are any options available I’d want to know about them.
THanks for your consideration.
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 3:17 pm
@Karen,
I would advise you to talk to your doctor in detail and ask for options other than just pain management.
I am sure You could have relief at least partial by surgical procedures but as information to me on you is limited and I am not your examining doctor, I would not be able to tell you what would suit you.
Please discuss it with your treating doctor.
Thanks for taken the time to rteply, I will discuss it further with my Dr…thanks again.
Karen
My husband has had a sharp pain in his tailbone that has gotten worse through the years. It is not a constant pain and we cannot seem to connect it to any specific activity. His doctors do not seem to be able to pinpoint what is causing this. Any advice would be wonderful.
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 1:57 pm
@amber,
What treatment has been given? What investigations have been done?
Which are more effective while sitting for a long time in coccydynia cases : Wedges or Rings (Wedges may cause low back pain or slip discs in long run, isn’t it?)
Also on what basis are the ring sizes determined? Any specific measurement techniques?
-Dr. Khuldin Raye, PT.
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
May 28th, 2011 at 7:42 am
@Khuldin,
I am not sure if wedges can cause slip disc.How would that be occurring?
I’m 24 and in my 3rd year of agony due to unexplained coccyx pain. Had every treatment going and spent 4000k so far!! Finally made my dr refer me for an MRI as I have told him about these glomus tumours/cysts that I might have. I seem to be the only coccyx pain sufferer that can feel tiny balls around the tip of my coccyx which is where the pain is! Have you heard of anyone else being able to feel these? I felt my boyfriends and his is still with no bits moving! This ruining my life…. any help would be much appreciated!!
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 8:29 am
@Nicole,
You need to consult a specialist who can examine you and make a diagnosis. The treatment would be effected accordingly.
Talk to the doctor about what you feel moving and let him/her examine that. That way your concern would be rightly addressed.
Thank you but the dr’s are saying it’s normal for bits to move but I know that’s not true!!!