What Causes Fuzzy MRI images of the Coccyx (Tailbone) in Patients with Coccyx Pain (Tailbone Pain, Coccydynia)?

Someone recently told me online that their treating physician tried to look at the coccyx MRI, to try to find the cause of the person’s  coccyx pain (tailbone pain, coccydynia). But the physician  reportedly said that the MRI images of the coccyx looked  “fuzzy,” so they were not able to see very much detail.

What Causes “Fuzzy” MRI images of the Coccyx (Tailbone) in Patients with Coccyx Pain (Tailbone Pain, Coccydynia)?
  • Most common reason for “fuzzy” MRI images of the coccyx: Lack of T-1 sagittal images of the coccyx.
  • Second most common explanation for “fuzzy” MRI images of the coccyx: lower quality magnet in the MRI machine.
    • The quality of an MRI image depends upon  not only the  technique that is used (as discussed above) but also the  quality (strength)  of the magnet  within the MRI machine.
    • Magnet strength is measured in “Tesla.”
    • Most modern MRI machines  have a magnet strength of  1.0 Tesla or even 3.0 Tesla. Any machine with a 1.0 Tesla magnet strength or better will usually give a good quality image of the coccyx  as long as the  technique is done properly.  (Essentially,  a 1.0 Tesla magnet is strong enough to give a good image, but to get that could image the MRI technician needs to use the machine properly in order to get the  optimal views, such as the T-1 and T-2 sagittal images, as discussed above.)
    • Lower quality MRI images will usually be seen if the MRI has a weaker magnets strength, such as an MRI with only a 0.5 Tesla magnet.
    • “Open” MRI machines  cause less claustrophobia  for the patient while they are in the machine, but unfortunately  the trade-off is that the open MRI machines usually have a lower quality/strength magnet.

GET THE BOOK: To get your copy of the book “Tailbone Pain Relief Now!” go to: www.TailboneBook.com  or go to Amazon.

COME FOR RELIEF: For more information on coccyx pain, or to be evaluated in-person at Dr. Foye’s Tailbone Pain Center in the United States, go to: www.TailboneDoctor.com

– Patrick Foye, M.D., Director of the Coccyx Pain Center, New Jersey, United States.

Patrick Foye, M.D.
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