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What Causes Coccydynia?
Question: 54 yr old male, 5'6 180 lbs, weights and cardio workouts 3 to 4 times a week, no known health problems. 1 month ago started lifting heavier weights to build more strength and add some muscle. Increased protein in diet but caused bad constipation and potential injury during bowel movements because of straining. I adjusted diet but about 1 wk ago started feeling pain about 1/2" above anus (towards waist). Pain continued to get worse, it is constant, sharp, increases in sitting or bowel movement, doesnt subside in any body position. I think its the anococcygeal ligament area but thats my guess. I have felt the area and do not feel any lumps or protrusions. I can identify from touch, the pain is specific to a ligament or tendon, something stretching right to left (parallel to waist line).
Brief Answer:
Can be due to coccydynia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain 1/2" above anus is suggestive of coccydynia caused by inflammation of the coccyx bone. The symptoms are generally worse when sitting for prolonged periods of time, or with direct pressure to the tailbone area.
Follow these measures for relief from the symptoms:
1) Avoid sitting down for long periods of time. When seated, do not sit on hard surfaces and you can do alternate sitting on each side of the buttocks. Also, lean forward and direct your weight away from the tailbone.
2) Take adequate rest and apply cold compresses, avoid any injury to the affected area and take some antiinflammatory and pain medications like ibuprofen(motrin) or diclofenac. Some severe cases with persistent coccydynia are treated with local cortisone injection and surgical resection of the coccyx.
3) You can also use a "doughnut" cushion or pillow to sit on. This cushion has a hole in the middle of it to prevent the tailbone from contacting the flat surface.
4) Also eat a high fiber diet foods to soften stools and avoid constipation. A hard stool can cause further injury to the area.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Can be due to coccydynia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain 1/2" above anus is suggestive of coccydynia caused by inflammation of the coccyx bone. The symptoms are generally worse when sitting for prolonged periods of time, or with direct pressure to the tailbone area.
Follow these measures for relief from the symptoms:
1) Avoid sitting down for long periods of time. When seated, do not sit on hard surfaces and you can do alternate sitting on each side of the buttocks. Also, lean forward and direct your weight away from the tailbone.
2) Take adequate rest and apply cold compresses, avoid any injury to the affected area and take some antiinflammatory and pain medications like ibuprofen(motrin) or diclofenac. Some severe cases with persistent coccydynia are treated with local cortisone injection and surgical resection of the coccyx.
3) You can also use a "doughnut" cushion or pillow to sit on. This cushion has a hole in the middle of it to prevent the tailbone from contacting the flat surface.
4) Also eat a high fiber diet foods to soften stools and avoid constipation. A hard stool can cause further injury to the area.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr Tayal,
I am also concerned it is due to the weight training I have been doing. I have been practicing "dead lift" which is the lifting of a bar with weights from the ground to an upright position, arms fully extended, and the bar is then at mid thigh level. I start with 70KG and 10 repetitions then gradually work up to a maximum of 140KG (308 pounds) when i do 1 repetition. I am wondering if this weight could have also put pressure on the coccyx and caused this, as I would but holding 140KG additional to my body weight in a standing position and cumulatively far more weight. I will stop this if you believe it may have contributed or caused the problem
XXXXXXX
I am also concerned it is due to the weight training I have been doing. I have been practicing "dead lift" which is the lifting of a bar with weights from the ground to an upright position, arms fully extended, and the bar is then at mid thigh level. I start with 70KG and 10 repetitions then gradually work up to a maximum of 140KG (308 pounds) when i do 1 repetition. I am wondering if this weight could have also put pressure on the coccyx and caused this, as I would but holding 140KG additional to my body weight in a standing position and cumulatively far more weight. I will stop this if you believe it may have contributed or caused the problem
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Avoid lifting heavy weights.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Yes. Lifting too heavy weights can cause a stress on your spine causing a bulging disc or pressure on the nerve roots thus causing the pain. Avoid lifting heavy weights specially after bending forwards.
You need to avoid constipation also.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Avoid lifting heavy weights.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Yes. Lifting too heavy weights can cause a stress on your spine causing a bulging disc or pressure on the nerve roots thus causing the pain. Avoid lifting heavy weights specially after bending forwards.
You need to avoid constipation also.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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