It can be challenging to get to the correct x-rays done in the medical testing for someone with tailbone pain (coccyx pain).
Unfortunately, it is VERY common that the x-rays fail to focus on the area of pain (the coccyx). Unfortunately, the tailbone x-rays include LOTS of other nearby anatomic regions, such as: the thigh […]
What is a sacral Tarlov cyst? A cyst is basically a bag of fluid. A cyst is like a water balloon. Sometimes at the sacral spine (the large bone at the back of the pelvis) there is a fluid collection known as a sacral Tarlov cyst. I explain sacral Tarlov cysts by comparing the sacral spinal […]
Multiple different types of injections are done to decrease tailbone pain.
3 of the most common types of tailbone injections: Steroid injection: a steroid is an anti-inflammatory medication that can be placed at a site of inflammation, to decrease the inflammation and pain at that location. Sympathetic nerve block: Sometimes in addition to the musculoskeletal […]
Sometimes patients ask me whether tailbone pain (coccyx pain) can be treated by placing surgical hardware into or onto the tailbone to stabilize any instability of the tailbone.
At first consideration, this is a reasonable thought.
Firstly, unstable joints of the tailbone are one of the most common causes of tailbone pain (and this diagnosis […]
Colonoscopy is a medical procedure where a flexible tube is inserted into the anus and colon.
A camera on the front tip of the tubing allows the doctor to see the inside of your colon, within the large intestines.
Colonoscopy is generally considered to be a safe way of detecting abnormalities such as colon cancers.
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As a rehab medicine physician, let me start by saying that in general… I am a big fan and a big advocate for physical therapy as a non-surgical approach to many musculoskeletal/pain disorders. For pelvic floor pain and dysfunction, there are a growing number of physical therapists who specialize in treating pelvic floor pain. […]
Coccygectomy is surgical removal of the tailbone (essentially amputating the tailbone).
There are not great long-term studies about long-term complications of having the tailbone removed.
The short-term risks include infection at the surgical site, especially in the first few weeks or months after the surgery.
Infection: In some studies up to 20% of patients need […]
If you had an MRI done for your tailbone pain (coccyx pain, coccydynia) you should try to get a copy of the computer CD containing your MRI images.
Ideally you should review the actual images with your treating physician (typically the physician who ordered the MRI). It’s a very bad sign about your treating/ordering physician […]
A “bone scan” is a test performed by the nuclear medicine part of a radiology center.
A “Nuclear Medicine Bone Scan” is generally considered to be very good for detecting bone destruction from things like bone cancer (malignancy), bone infection (osteomyelitis), or bone injuries (such as fractures).
If the bone scan is truly being done […]
In the news…
Ryan Villopoto recently retired from his motocross (motorcycle racing) career due to an April 2015 crash in Italy that reportedly caused multiple tailbone fractures (broken bones of the coccyx) and low back injuries of the lumbar spine.
Villopoto is only 26 years old, but was already an accomplished motorcycle racer, including six-time […]
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