Coccydynia
There are a number of treatments that can help reduce the pain of coccydynia. Simple measures you can try at home are usually recommended first.
Coccydynia often improves over a few weeks or months. If it continues despite simple treatments, your GP may refer you to a specialist to discuss other options.
This page covers:
The following advice may help reduce pain and allow you to get on with your everyday activities.
If your pain and discomfort isn't too severe, it may be relieved with over-the-counter painkillers.
A type of painkiller known as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is often recommended. Ibuprofen is a type of NSAID available over-the-counter without a prescription.
NSAIDs can help ease pain and reduceinflammation (swelling) around your coccyx.
However, some people can't take NSAIDs because they're allergic to them or have an increased risk of developing stomach ulcers . If this is the case, try taking paracetamol instead. Ibuprofen gel that you rub into your skin may also be an option.
Ask a pharmacist or GPfor advice if you're unsure what to take.
If the pain is more severe,a stronger painkiller such astramadol may be required. Tramadolcan cause side effects, such as constipation , headaches and dizziness .
It's usually prescribed for a short time as it can be addictive. If it's prescribed for longer, the dose will have to be reduced gradually before being stopped to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
If your pain hasn't started to improve after a few weeks, your GP may be able to refer you to a physiotherapist.
A physiotherapist can:
Sometimes, they're combined with local anaesthetic (numbing medication)to make them even more effective.
Theinjections can help relieve the symptoms of coccydynia, although the effects may only last for a few weeks.
Theycan't cure your condition and too many injections can damage your tailbone and lower back, so you may only be able to have this type of treatment once or twice a year.
Injecting local anaesthetic into the nerves that supply the coccyx can help reduce the pain signals coming from them.
As with steroid injections, the effect may only last a few weeks or months.
But unlike steroid injections, it's usually safe to have repeated injections of local anaesthetic.
Surgery for coccydynia is usually only recommended when all other treatments have failed.
It may involve removing some of your tailbone (partial coccygectomy) or occasionally allof it (totalcoccygectomy).
A coccygectomy is carried out under general anaesthetic (where you're asleep).
After surgery, most people find their symptoms improve considerably, although it can take several months. Some people will continue to experience pain.
It takes a long time to recover from coccygectomy, anywhere from a few months to a year.
Find out about coccydynia (tailbone pain), including what the symptoms are, when to get medical advice, why it happens and how it's treated.
Find out about some of the main causes of coccydynia (tailbone pain), including, childbirth, injury and wear and tear.
Find out about the main treatments for coccydynia (tailbone pain), including things you can try at home, painkillers, physiotherapy and painkilling injections.