Coccydynia; Causes, Symptoms, Prevention

Coccydynia Causes Symptoms Coccydynia means the inflammation of the tailbone (coccyx or bony area located deep between the buttocks above the anus) is referred to as coccydynia. Coccydynia is associated with pain and tenderness at the tip of the tailbone between the buttocks. Sitting often worsens coccyx pain.

Another Names of Coccydynia

Coccygodynia (also referred to as coccydynia, coccalgia, coccygalgia, or coccygeal pain) is a painful syndrome affecting the tailbone (coccygeal) region. The word coccyx is derived from the Greek word kokkyx (“cuckoo”), on the basis of this structure’s resemblance to the shape of a cuckoo’s beak (see the image below).

Coccyx as compared with cuckoo’s beak.

Coccygodynia is a rare condition but can be highly unpleasant when it does occur. Patients’ chief complaint is pain, which typically is triggered by or occurs while sitting on hard surfaces. The pain often varies and sometimes is aggravated by arising from the sitting position.

Direct trauma to the tailbone is the most common cause of coccydynia, and usually leads to inflammation surrounding the coccyx, which contributes to pain and discomfort.

There are many cases reported in which pain begins with no identifiable origin (called idiopathic coccydynia

Anatomy of Coccyx

The coccyx or tailbone – is the very bottom portion of the spine. It is a small triangular bone at the base of the spinal column (backbone). It is located just above the cleft in the buttocks and curves forwards so that it points towards the front of the body. It represents a vestigial tail or the tail bone. It consists of 3-5 very small bones fused together. Movement between the bones is permitted by the fibrous joints and ligaments.

Derivation – The word coccyx is derived from the Greek word for cuckoo. It resembles the beak of a cuckoo.

Articulations – The coccyx articulates with the sacrum through a vestigial disc and is also connected to the sacrum with ligaments. There is very limited movement between the coccyx and the sacrum. The attachment is either a symphysis (Fibrocartilaginous fusion between 2 bones) or is a true synovial joint.

Ventral side – (part facing front) – This part is slightly concave and dorsal side is convex.

Transverse grooves – Present on both ventral and dorsal sides. These grooves show where the vestigial coccyx units had fused previously

The coccyx bones become more flexible – in pregnant women to facilitate them to give birth more easily . Coccydynia is typically caused by the following underlying anatomical issues:

Hypermobility, or too much movement of the coccyx puts added stress on the joint between the sacrum and coccyx and on the coccyx itself. Too much mobility can also pull the pelvic floor muscles that attach to the coccyx, resulting in tailbone and pelvic pain.
Limited mobility of the coccyx causes the tailbone to jut outward when sitting, and can put increased pressure on the bones and the sacrococcygeal joint. Limited coccyx movement may also result in pelvic floor muscle tension, adding to discomfort.
In rare cases, part of the sacrococcygeal joint may become dislocated at the front or back of the tailbone, causing coccyx pain.
A fall onto the tailbone in the seated position, usually against a hard surface, is the most common cause of coccyx injuries.
A direct blow to the tailbone, such as those that occur during contact sports, can injure the coccyx.
The coccyx can be injured or fractured during childbirth.
Repetitive straining or friction against the coccyx (as happens in bicycling or rowing) can injure the coccyx.
Sometimes, the cause of coccyx injuries is unknown.
Less common causes of coccyx injuries include bone spurs, compression of nerve roots, injuries to other parts of the spine, local infections, and tumors.

Coccyx bears the weight of our body when we sit down.
Muscles inserting on the anterior coccyx include the levator ani, which is sometimes considered as several separate muscle parts including the coccygeus, iliococcygeus and pubococcygeus muscles. This important muscle group supports the pelvic floor (preventing inferior sagging of the intrapelvic contents) and plays a role in maintaining faecal continence. Muscles originating on the posterior coccyx include Gluteus maximus, which is the largest of the gluteal muscle (buttock muscle) and functions to extend the thigh during ambulation.

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Function of coccyx

Coccyx serves as a weight-bearing structure when a person is seated, thus completing the tripod of weight bearing composed of the coccyx and the bilateral ischium.
The coccyx bears more weight when the seated person is leaning backward. Therefore many patients with coccydynia sit leaning forward which shifts more of the weight to the bilateral ischium rather than coccyx.
Alternatively, patients with coccydynia may sit toward one side so that the body weight is exerted mainly on the ischial tuberosity with less pressure on coccyx. Such side leaning may lead to concomitant ischial bursitis in addition to the antecedent coccydynia.

The above factors may result from an injury to the coccyx, or may develop as idiopathic coccydynia.

Causes of Coccydynia

A diagnosis of coccydynia will usually identify one of the following underlying causes of pain

Local trauma – A direct injury to the coccyx is probably the most common cause of coccydynia. A fall on the tailbone can inflame the ligaments and injure the coccyx or the coccygeal attachment to the sacrum. Coccygeal trauma usually results in a bruised bone, but may also result in a fracture or dislocation either in the front or back of the coccyx.
Repetitive stress – Activities that put prolonged pressure on the tailbone, such as horseback riding and sitting on hard surfaces for long periods of time, may cause the onset of coccyx pain. Tailbone pain from these causes usually is not permanent, but if inflammation and symptoms are not managed, the pain may become chronic and cause long-term altered mobility of the sacrococcygeal joint.
Childbirth – During delivery, the baby’s head passes over the top of the coccyx, and the pressure against the coccyx can sometimes result in injury to the coccygeal structures (the disc, ligaments, and bones). While uncommon, the pressure can also cause a fracture in the coccyx.
Tumor or infection – Rarely, coccydynia can be caused by a nearby tumor or infection that puts pressure on the coccyx.
Referred coccyx pain – In rare cases pain will be referred to the coccyx from elsewhere in the spine or pelvis, such as a lumbar herniated disc or degenerative lumbar disc.
Obesity – Pelvic rotation, including movement of the coccyx, is usually lessened in individuals who are overweight, leading to more continual stress being placed on the coccyx and increasing the chances of developing coccyx pain. One study found that a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 27.4 in women and 29.4 in men increases the risk for coccydynia following repetitive stress or a one-time injury.

Gender – Women have a higher chance of developing coccydynia than men, due to a wider pelvic angle as well as trauma to the coccyx endured during childbirth.

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If pain is mild or moderate, it may not be necessary to identify the exact cause of coccydynia. In some cases, however, coccyx pain is severe or of a serious origin, so it is important to have a general idea why pain has developed so that it can be treated most effectively.

What are the symptoms of Coccydynia?

Because coccydynia strictly refers to inflammation in or near the tailbone, symptoms are highly localized. An individual experiencing coccydynia may encounter-

Pain in the coccygeal region (tip of the tailbone)
Local tenderness
The pain can range from mild to severe. It is usually worse when
- Sitting down
- Moving from sitting to a standing position
- When touched or when some pressure falls on the coccyx
Worsens with constipation, feels better after bowel movement
Some people can tolerate sitting in the same position for only a few minutes. They feel restless after a few minutes. They have to get up and move around to get relieved of the pain
Pain makes everyday activities difficult Ex. Driving, bending over, sitting down etc.
Sitting on a soft surface may be more painful than sitting on something hard. Sitting on a soft surface places most of your weight on your coccyx rather than on the hard bones below your pelvis.
Difficulty in sitting and leaning against the buttocks

Other symptoms of coccydynia

Backache
Shooting pain down the legs
Pain before or when stools are passed
Pain during sex (aggravates at or after sex)
Painful buttocks and hips
Increased pain during monthly periods in women
Difficulty to sleep comfortably at night, you may need to keep changing the positions while you sleep
Symptoms usually improve with relief of pressure when standing or walking

Pain in the tailbone area that worsens when sitting or leaning against something
Tenderness and redness in the affected area
Discomfort during bowel movements
Difficulty standing up from a resting position and performing other everyday activities, such as driving or bending down
Bruising near the coccyx
Some low back pain
Deep, intense aches in the tailbone region
Sharp pangs in the coccyx area

Test for coccygeal pain

A local anaesthesia is injected into the coccygeal area. If the pain is related to the coccyx, it reduces and there is immediate relief.
If this anaesthetic test is positive then a dynamic (sit/stand) X-ray or MRI scan show whether the coccyx dislocates when the patient sits

Other investigations

Stool guaiac test – should be done for occult test to assess for Gastro-intestinal pathology
Dynamic radiographs – obtained in both sitting and standing positions may be more useful than static
X-rays – because they allow for measurement of the saggital rotation of the pelvis and the coccygeal angle of incidence. A comparison of sitting and standing films will yield radiographic abnormalities in up to 70% of symptomatic coccydynia
MRI and technetium Tc-99m bone scans – may demonstrate inflammation of sacrococcygeal area indicative of coccygeal hypermobility
Provocative testing – of the coccyx such as pressing on the region with a blunted needle to elicit pain and pain relief with injection of local anaesthesia under fluoroscopic guidance may be helpful in diagnosis
Basically the diagnosis of coccydynia is done by a health care professional by taking a thorough medical history from the patient and completing a physical examination
X-ray of the sacrum and coccyx – to rule out an obvious fracture or a large tumour
An MRI scan – to rule out infection or spinal tumour as a cause of pain
Bone scans and CT scans – give little information. They are generally not done. Typically all imaging studies will be negative.
A thorough inspection / palpation of this area – is needed to detect any abnormal masses or abscesses (infections)
A lateral X-ray of the coccyx – is taken to help detect any significant coccygeal pathology such as a fracture

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Differential Diagnosis

Coccyx Fracture (broken tailbone)
It presents with –

Pain that increases in severity when sitting or getting up from a chair or when experiencing a bowel movement
Provoked pain over the tailbone
Nausea
Bruising or swelling in the tailbone area

Sacro-coccygeal dislocation

It is a rare injury
Presents with pain in the sacro-coccygeal area generally followed by a fall or injury
On examination, a step will be felt in the continuity of sacrum and coccyx
The tip of the coccyx will not be palpable
Per rectal examination reveals a small bump on running the finger along the sacrococcygeal curvature
Plain radiographs of sacrococcygeal region – reveals anterior dislocation of coccyx over sacrum

Intracoccygeal dislocation – Here there is dislocation of one coccygeal segment from the other

Intrapelvic malignancy and / or metastatic lesions ,Ischial bursitis / Ischiogluteal bursitis

Ischial bursa (small sac filled with lubricating fluid) is located in the upper buttock area
Inflammation in this bursa is called Ischial bursitis
It causes dull pain in this area which is most noticeable when climbing uphill
The pain sometimes occurs after prolonged sitting on hard surfaces
It is also called as ‘weaver’s bottom’ or ‘tailor’s bottom’

Sacro-iliac joint pain or Sacroiliac joint dysfunction