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What Causes Discomfort And Stiffness In Tailbone Area?

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Posted on Sat, 25 Apr 2015
Question: discomfort in the tailbone area, dull achiness and stiffness felt , no severity of pain.. I am only a very anxious person and would like to know what it is as I did not really injure any bone . I have sitting job and a bit overweight. I have visited a gynae who dint think it as coxyx pain, and was quite casual about it after examination. gave me some calcium and vitamin D and asked me to do yoga.. i recently visited a physio therapist, who tried pressing quite a few points, but did not find any pain points , so again they took it lightly, said to go for physiotherapy, can be stbborn cocxydania they said.. will go with time, lose weight and strengthen back muscles. I seem to be losing patience as its been about 6-8 weeks and i am not able to get rid of the stiffy sensation.. and i worry to what it might be as the docs are not ordering any tests..on a scale of 1 to 10 the pain is only about 1 or 2, and that too after sitting for a while and when i stand up.. , but overall the joint doesnt feel normal, and feels stiffer.. Please advise, if I should be worried.. I just dont want this to get chronic.. I keep doing ice packs and some stretching exercises on my own.. it fees good for some time, but the feeling returns back after some time .. Any tests I can get done to be less paranoid....thanks!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sunil Kumar Srivastava (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
consult orthopedic doctor, x ray of tail bone, sitz bath, pain meds

Detailed Answer:
Hello
An orthopedic doctor consultation would be beneficial
tail end of spine or coccyx often gets inflammed and painful in few persons without apparent cause.Often it may be due to abnormal tilted position of coccyx present since birth which bears the brunt in adulthood by prolonged sitting jobs or use of hard surface for sitting.The abnormal pressure leads to its painful condition
orthopedic surgeons ask for an x ray of the region to assess its condition.It is not a single piece of bone but comprises of 5 pieces of small bones jointed and their bodies narrow down in descending order, the lowest piece is smallest and often curve forwards.In some hypermobile condition of lower pieces of bones of coccyx, some abnormal stresses are likely
The remedy is anti-inflammatory medicines,muscle relaxants,loosing body weight if excessive, taking sitz bath i.e.,sitting for 10 minutes in hot water filled tub for 7-10 days, using soft foam cushion underneath on sitting.
In case,some abnormal tilting found on x ray, it can be corrected surgically by fusion surgery
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Sunil Kumar Srivastava (21 hours later)
Thanks doctor, I will consult with an orthopedic soon then.. Just checking Are they able to address issues with bones only, or they are able to cater to issues if it is a ligament, nerve or muscle stress? and does an Xray reveal such stresses?

Out of anxiety,what are the chances of this being something serious at my age ? I mean should I give it some more time to settle on its own. coz sometimes I feel my anxiety of it being something serious , doesn't let me heal!

This is my last question to you, I really appreciate your help!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sunil Kumar Srivastava (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
MRI if necessitated on x ray finding,chances little-response by conserv

Detailed Answer:
Thanks XXXXXX for query
An x ray gives position of bone,tilting,narrowing of spaces between bones and inferences are drawn indirectly about soft tissues. For direct visuals of soft tissues an MRI is more informative as it covers bone and ligaments and soft tissues.
Clearly, you shall benefit from conservative measures as I mentioned in my earlier post, and unless some more defect is observed in x ray then an MRI would be asked for.Most of the cases resolve conservatively and surgery is rarely needed-in mal-rotated or tilting or dislocated piece of coccyx which has little chances of incidence.\So do not worry, just see a regular orthopedic surgeon in your area.
Mild tranquilizers like alprazolam or clonazipam shall reduce over anxiety states, but do not keep fear,such cases heal in few days easily without major interventions apart from some softer measures mentioned before by me.
Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Sunil Kumar Srivastava

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1980

Answered : 448 Questions

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What Causes Discomfort And Stiffness In Tailbone Area?

Brief Answer: consult orthopedic doctor, x ray of tail bone, sitz bath, pain meds Detailed Answer: Hello An orthopedic doctor consultation would be beneficial tail end of spine or coccyx often gets inflammed and painful in few persons without apparent cause.Often it may be due to abnormal tilted position of coccyx present since birth which bears the brunt in adulthood by prolonged sitting jobs or use of hard surface for sitting.The abnormal pressure leads to its painful condition orthopedic surgeons ask for an x ray of the region to assess its condition.It is not a single piece of bone but comprises of 5 pieces of small bones jointed and their bodies narrow down in descending order, the lowest piece is smallest and often curve forwards.In some hypermobile condition of lower pieces of bones of coccyx, some abnormal stresses are likely The remedy is anti-inflammatory medicines,muscle relaxants,loosing body weight if excessive, taking sitz bath i.e.,sitting for 10 minutes in hot water filled tub for 7-10 days, using soft foam cushion underneath on sitting. In case,some abnormal tilting found on x ray, it can be corrected surgically by fusion surgery Regards,