Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)
The tailbone (coccyx) is the final segment of the vertebral column and, depending on an individual’s development, may consist of three to five different bones connected by fused—or semi-fused—joints. While it was originally thought that the coccyx is always fused together, it is now known that the coccyx is not one solid bone, but there is some limited movement between the bones permitted by fibrous joints and ligaments.
Direct trauma to the tailbone and childbirth are the most common cause of coccydynia, but there are many cases reported in which pain begins with no identifiable origin (called idiopathic coccydynia).
The main symptoms of coccydynia is pain and tenderness in the area just above the buttocks.
The pain may:
- be dull and achy most of the time, with occasional sharp pains
- be worse when sitting down, moving from sitting to standing, standing for long periods, having sex and going for a poo
- make it very difficult to sleep and carry out everyday activities, such as driving or bending over
Some people also have back pain, shooting leg pains (sciatica) and painful buttocks and hips.