coccydynia
Last reviewed 01/2018
Coccydynia is a painful condition of the terminal portion of the spine.
- specific
patient factors have been previously associated with coccydynia patients, including
female gender, history of recent fall on the buttocks, obesity and a possibility
of psychological disorder (1)
- the increased occurence of coccydynia in women has been attributed to the more posterior location of sacrum and coccyx and the characteristics of the ischial tuberosities that leave a woman's coccyx more exposed and susceptible to trauma both in common situations (sitting position) and during child deliveries (2)
- radiographic studies of patients
with symptoms of coccydynia have revealed the sacrococcygeal joint and the second
intercoccygeal joint are generally fused, whereas the first intercoccygeal joint
is mobile
- it has been proposed that stretching of the ligamentous structures of the first intercoccygeal joint may be partially responsible for the symptoms of coccydynia (1)
- management of coccydynia
- initial management is via conservative methods, including medication such as non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, local steroid injections and manipulation
- surgical treatment (coccygectomy) may be indicated if conservative management is unsuccessful
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