Coccygodynia (Coccydynia, Coccalgia, Tailbone Pain)

Original Editor - Maxime Tuerlinckx as part of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Evidence-based Practice project

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Definition / Description

Coccygodynia is defined as a disabling pain in and around the os coccyx. This pain is usually provoked by sitting or by rising from a seated to a standing position. It is also known as coccydynia or coccygeal neuralgia. The pain caused by coccygodynia is disabling and has a significant impact on the patient's quality of life. The pain can be described as "pulling" or "lancinating," and may also radiate to the sacrum, lumbar spine, and buttocks, or more rarely to the thighs.

Clinically Relevant Anatomy

The coccyx is the most distal aspect of the vertebral column. It consists of three to five rudimentary vertebral units that are typically fused. The ventral part of the coccyx is concave, and the dorsal aspect is convex and features coccygeal articular processes. The coccyx articulates with the sacral cornu of the inferior sacral apex at S5.

The anterior aspect of the coccyx serves as the attachment site of ligaments and muscles important for many functions of the pelvic floor. The levator ani muscle includes m. coccygeus, m. pubococcygeus and m. iliococcygeus. The coccyx supports the position of the anus. Attached to the posterior side of the coccyx is m. gluteus maximus. Muscle weakness, disturbed tonus or damage to muscles or ligaments can cause abnormal positions of the coccyx.

Epidemiology / Etiology

The prevalence for coccygodynia is five times greater in women than in men. This may be related to increased pressure during pregnancy or delivery (post-partum coccygodynia).

The pain in the coccyx can be caused by radiation from a lumbosacral segment, a direct trauma or an overcharge. Congenital deviations can also cause complaints during long sitting.

Coccygodynia may be classified as posttraumatic or idiopathic. Posttraumatic coccygodynia may be due to a fall onto the buttocks, or due to a difficult childbirth. Some studies question the possibility that coccygodynia could be caused by a direct trauma, because of protection by the ischiadic bones.

Often, a positional change of the coccyx is caused by overtension of the anal levator muscle. In more than one third of cases, coccygodynia has an idiopathic cause.

Characteristics / Clinical Presentation

The patient may complain of pain in the coccyx region during, going into, or coming out of a seated position - this is a first indication of coccygodynia. Tenderness over the coccyx is likely present, and the location of tenderness may help to discern between different forms of coccygodynia:

• Referred or radiating pain is caused by a lumbar disc lesion, irritation of lower pelvic structures or deviations of the lower lumbar and/or sacroiliac joints.
• Local pain or coccygodynia is usually caused by a direct trauma to the coccyx bone, or may be idiopathic in nature.
  • Factors contributing to idiopathic coccygodynia include anatomical variations of the coccyx or pregnancy/delivery..
    

Differential Diagnosis

• Local coccygodynia
  • Traumatic coccygodynia
  • Idiopathic coccygodynia
• Referred or radiated coccygodynia
• Psychogenic coccygodynia
• Chronic proctalgia
• Chronic pelvic pain and pudendal neuralgia
  

Diagnostic Procedures

Local coccygodynia presents as pain felt in the coccyx during sitting, and does not spread in any direction. The pain can be relieved by sitting on a hard surface or with the buttocks over the border of the chair. Only pressure point pain is present. Depending on the exact location of the pain, walking, stair walking or getting up from sitting can be painful.

Other movements are painless and examination of lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints and hips are normal. Trauma or overtension of the levator ani muscle can shift the coccyx into an abnormal position. These contributing factors can be distinguished based on the affected tissues.

Psychogenic coccydynia features a less specific pain location, and usually a vague and radiating pain in various directions. Lumbar and hip movements are painful.

Outcome Measures

• Pain Measures
  • 4-Item Pain Intensity Measure (P4)
  • Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form
  • Numeric Pain Rating Scale
  • Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire
  • Visual Analogue Scale

• Condition Specific
  • Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI - 20)
  • Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ)

Examination

Coccygodynia can be diagnosed during a physical examination. Patients may take a guarding seated position, in which one buttock is elevated to shift weight from the coccyx and to prevent and/or minimize discomfort and pain. With referred or radiated pain, the pain will also arise during lumbar movements. Coughing is painful. Physical examination will show an increased pain during a straight leg raise test. There may be radiating pain around the buttocks and going to the back of the thighs. Women may have pain during menstruation. Palpation at the sacrococcygeal junction will elicit a tender point and will be painful.

Medical Management

There is growing evidence that supports the efficacy of coccygectomy as treatment for coccygodynia. Coccygectomy showed a high percentage of patients with good results, and this outcome is durable over time.

Physical Therapy Management

Patients with coccygodynia are initially advised to avoid provocative factors. Initial treatment includes ergonomic adjustments such as using a donut-shaped pillow or gel cushion when sitting for a long period of time. This reduces local pressure and improves the patients posture. There is however no significant evidence that these minor changes reduce the complaints.
To improve the position of the coccyx, the physiotherapist can use mobilizations. The first choice for mobilization is postero-anterior central vertebral pressure (first gently oscillating). Given that there is tenderness to pressure, it might be best to start with rotation mobilization. It is advised to begin mobilizing only one side at one treatment.
Another manual therapy used, are deep transverse frictions (DTF) to the affected ligaments. The patient lies in prone position with a pillow under the pelvis, the legs in slight abduction and internal rotation. The therapist places his thumb on the affected spot and depending on the location of the lesion (direction DTF), the DTF are administered.
Manipulation of the coccyx is performed intrarectal with the patient in lateral position. With the index finger, the coccyx is repeatedly flexed and extended. This is performed for only one minute, to avoid damage or irritations of the rectal mucosa.
Massage of the levator ani muscle and coccygeus muscles is also found to relieve pain. To exclude the possibility of muscles pulling on the os coccyx, relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles can be integrated by using biofeedback.
In 16% of the patients (Wray et al) daily ultrasound followed by two weeks of short-wave diathermy (no settings were given) was found beneficial.
There are only a few studies/reviews available concerning the ‘ideal’ physiotherapy treatment for coccygodynia, more research is needed and the techniques described are insufficient.
 

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