ADVANCE NEUROSURGERY

COCCYDYNIA (PAIN AROUND TAIL BONE)

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The tailbone is found at the end of the spinal column. It supports the body in a sitting position and helps transfer body weight during changes in sitting positions. Coccydynia is pain in or around the area of the coccyx, also called the tailbone. It is a small, curved, V-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine.

Causes of Coccydynia

In most cases, the specific cause of coccydynia is unknown or idiopathic. Other causes include

• 1. Trauma or injury from falls
• 2. Tailbone shift during childbirth
• 3. Rarely infections or tumors

Pain can come from bones, muscles, nerves, or supporting structures around the tail bone or the coccyx.

Coccydynia is more common amongst females and other risk factors include prolonged sitting on hard surfaces and arthritis or inflammation of the joints.

Symptoms (Presentation)

The classic symptom is pain when there is pressure over the tailbone, such as when sitting on a hard chair.

Symptoms usually improve with relief of pressure when standing or walking.

Other symptoms include:

• 1. Immediate and severe pain when moving from sitting to standing
• 2. Pain during bowel movements
• 3. Pain during sexual intercourse

On examination there is tenderness over the tail bone which may be severe.

Diagnosis

Dr Asheesh Tandon or members of his team following examination may ask for imaging tests in-cluding Xray, Ct Scan or any Mri to rule out fracture, dislocation infection or any tumour in the re-gion.

Treatment

If tailbone pain is not treated right away, it can be debilitating for the individual since as this pain has the tendency to persist even up to months or years.

Use of soft cushion or pillow

Since most activities involves sitting, those with the condition should invest in a special cushion or pillow. These cushions or pillows should feature an opening that helps relieve the pressure off the tailbone.

Anti-inflammatory medications

The individual must observe good posture and stay on his/her feet. In most cases, once inflamma-tion occurs, it can cause chronic tailbone pain. By administering anti-inflammatory medications, it can help relieve the discomfort.

Steroid injection (Ganglion Impar block)

Oftentimes, chronic tailbone pain does not respond to medications or rest. In such cases the pain unit at Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery would advise for a Ganglion impart block. Its an injection with steroid mixed with local anaesthetic agent for relief of pain. Following the injection you would be sent home within an hour.

Ganglion impar Lesioning techniques

Chemical neurolysis and radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) of ganglion impar are also used in the treatment of coccydynia. Using Thermocon Radiolesioning device the pain therapist of the Center would create a lesion in Ganglion impar for long term relief.

Team of Best neurosurgeons and pain therapists are involved in the management of this disease at our center providing affordable treatment at Jabalpur India.