Tailbone Pain

The pain from a tailbone injury can feel like a persistent, dull ache, but typically, sharp pains come from activities such as sitting, or even standing after sitting for a prolonged period of time. Tailbone pain typically goes away on its own without medical intervention within a few weeks or months. The tailbone (coccyx) is made up of 3-5 small bones that can be injured by trauma during a fall or prolonged sitting on a hard surface. Less commonly, patients may have degenerative joint changes or experience postpartum tailbone pain.

To reduce tailbone pain, our orthopedic surgeons recommend that you:

• Sit on a doughnut-shaped pillow
• Apply alternating ice/heat to the affected area
• Use NSAID pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen.

When Should I See a Doctor for Tailbone Pain?

If your tailbone pain doesn’t subside, you should consult with a hip surgeon. Your orthopedist may do an exam to rule out other conditions, including checking for a fracture, degenerative conditions, or even a tumor in the tailbone area.

Possible treatments for tailbone pain may include:

• Physical therapy to relax your pelvic floor and gently stretching the ligaments attached to the coccyx can be helpful
• Gentle manipulation by massaging the muscles attached to the tailbone
• Injections of local anesthetic, or numbing agent such as lidocaine, and a steroid injection can reduce inflammation and provide pain relief for weeks at a time.
• Surgery is the last result, and typically only reserved for severe cases.

Interested in learning more about how to treat tailbone pain in Orange County? Contact Hoag Orthopedic Institute at (949) 705-6493 today for an appointment with our hip surgeons.

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