Coccygodynia

Coccygodynia is characterized by pain in the tail bone with radiation to the lower sacral and perineal areas. The condition affects women more frequently then men. The condition usually occurs after a fall in which the patient falls on the coccyx. It can occur after damage to the sacrococcygeal ligaments due to a difficult delivery, repeated microtrauma, or fracture to the coccyx. Some believe that there is a large psychologic basis to the syndrome.

Diagnosis is based on signs and symptoms, and results of a rectal exam. Treatment consists of local heat application, message, and local injection of steroids and local anesthetics. A caudal injection with local and steroids also has been effective. The injections frequently must be repeated to provide long term relief.