Tailbone pain

Coccygodynia (Latin spelling Coccygodynia) is the term for chronic pain in the area of the tailbone (coccyx). The disease often has no apparent cause and is then often seen as a psychosomatic disorder.

Possible reasons are poorly healed wounds, fractures or congenital abnormalities of the coccyx, deep herniated discs, tumors, accidents and mechanical overload after childbirth, chronic constipation, and disorders of the tendons of the muscles of the pelvic floor or pelvic organs.

To diagnose a safeguard, a tailbone target host can be made. Their significance however, is restricted because of the angle at which the sacrum of the coccyx which is variable (normal 10-30°). I

The gold standard of diagnosis is still the clinical examination. The examiner takes the index finger and moves the coccyx and the rectum between the thumb and forefinger.   80% of sufferers are female. They complain of pain while sitting, during defecation or sexual intercourse.  The imaging techniques (radiographs of the coccyx, CT, MRI) often do not show any visible changes, but should still be done to rule out a local inflammation or a tumor.
Treatment

The disease is feared because of its slowness. If no cause is found, any local infiltration with corticosteroids or local anesthetics at the connection between the sacrum and the coccyx can be tried.  Ineffectiveness should be determined only after three months. Painkillers in tablet form can be used for support.

Furthermore, the supply of a seat ring, physiotherapy and psychotherapy may be appropriate.  For the patient it is important to note that this is not a threatening or even a life-threatening illness. A last resort is the surgical removal of the coccyx, which again, does not guarantee a success.