What is Coccydynia?
Coccydynia is the pain in the coccyx, which is often referred to as the tailbone. It is the last bone to be found in the spinal cord. Generally, coccydynia is the result of an injury or strain in your spinal cord. Sometimes, women can be subjected to this condition after childbirth. Mostly, your pain will subside within weeks but can also prolong for a long time resulting in chronic pain. It is best to consult with an orthopedic doctor for treating coccydynia.
What are the common symptoms of coccydynia?
The most common coccydynia symptoms include:
- Acute pain in the coccyx leading to increased tenderness in the tailbone. The pain can radiate to the thighs, the hips, or even the rectum when you are seated. Also, moving around and everyday chores are affected as a result of this condition.
- There can be a sudden surge in pain due to the inflammation of your tailbone, restricting general movements like bending and sitting.
- Due to constant pain in your back, you might suffer from a fever that lasts until the pain subsides.
How to treat coccydynia?
A general physician or orthopedician will suggest Coccydynia treatment based on the symptoms you exhibit. Few of the common measures of Coccydynia treatment are listed below:
Padded seating: Sitting on pillows or padded seating can relieve your pain. Specified seats are designed for this purpose to help distribute the weight while sitting, thus relieving pain.
Exercises and massages: Exercises that involve stretching is taught to the patients. Also, gentle massage and therapy are suggested that helps in relieving the pain.
Medicines: Medications like steroids and painkillers can help in curing this condition. It is essential however, to only take these mediations with your doctor’s approval so as to prevent the overuse of steroids among other complications.
Surgery: Coccygectomy is the surgery that is done to remove the tailbone. However, surgery is usually recommended only if the other conventional coccydynia treatments like physiotherapy and medications do not show any improvement. Even after the surgery, the process of wound healing takes time and exercises are suggested for faster cure.
When to see an orthopedist for coccydynia?
Coccydynia is diagnosed by orthopedicians often by clinical history,examination and imaging. With recent medical improvements and advanced X-ray techniques, diagnosis of coccydynia has become easier. It is best to consult with a bone doctor for treatments and expert advice on the dos and don’ts as you may have to move carefully.
You can download the mfine app and get in touch with the best orthopedicians for expert advice and treatment.