Dislocated Tailbone...?

Question

I dislocated my tail-bone back in mid-June. I still have pain when sitting upright,especially when getting up from sitting position. I've seen an orthopedist (sp), and they x-rayed me ant the tip was still slightly out of wack (October). The doctor gave me a cortizone shot, and some pain pills and said try not to sit on it.

Just wondering if anyone had similar problems and how long it took to get better and if I should really go find another doctor ...again. Doctor's I've talked to said that not much they can do, that it should eventually get better....but 8 months of discomfort seems a bit too long.

(part of my problem is I've been between jobs and working temp jobs so no insurance for the past 9 months...so reluctant to have to fork out the extra money for the same advice).

Answer 1

This is a well-known problem in the Chiropractic community which usually occurs in women and can be treated effectively without medications or surgery. Many other health care providers have little experience with diagnosing and treating this condition.

The key complaint is that a patient will complain that they feel like they are sitting on a nail. It is not that the coccyx (bottom spinal segment immediately below the sacrum) was completely dislocated (complete dislocation where two bones are no longer in contact), but rather it "slid" or "twisted" partially out of normal alignment. Mosty often this occurs due to an external physical force, such as a forceful, sudden and unexpected slip and fall onto a hard surface. This causes the coccyx to be tilted and twisted out of position, most often the tip is forced inward and either to the right or left side, sometimes with a rotary twist as well. Because this small bone serves as an attachment point for many ligaments, muscle and tendons it is often associated with pain and discomfort in the pelvis (front and back), hip, low back and sometimes other places as well.

Inflammation is not the problem, thus a hydrocortizone (or other steroid) injection was not beneficial and didn't help you feel better. Pain medication will not cause the coccyx to jump back into place by itself, but rather hide your symptoms (pain, stiffness, cramping, et cetera) which are only warning your body that something is wrong. This particular problem seldom spontaneously resolves (i.e. seldom gets better on its own) and often progressively causes more problems over time and makes your life quite miserable.

Most patients do not receive appropriate treatment and learn to live with the problem. They quickly learn not to discuss this with others because other people don't understand what they are experiencing and usually don't believe there is a problem. Because many health care providers have little or no education or clinical training on how to evaluate, assess and diagnose this problem they have no idea how to treat it so you will get better.

The treatment is nearly always a simple and gentle repositioning of the coccyx by someone who is appropriately trained and licensed and willing to treat you. Often this can be treated externally, by hand, and sometimes by a mechanical device. Sometimes this approach does not work (you would know the first day since you wouldn't feel any better after the treatment) and the doctor will have to carefully use a gloved index finger to gradually, gently and carefully guide the coccyx into place. The doctor will show you visual diagrams of what will be done first, so you understand what is to be done and how it will effect your body. "The adjustment" might require three guided movements, each taking about 10 seconds, done in sequence. Because the area is already tender there will be some temporary discomfort, however most patients have said they began to feel much better within a few minutes. Usually only one or two treatment sessions is needed if the problem is uncomplicated, and it most often is. You would be properly draped and gowned to respect your dignity. Because the internal treatment may not be allowed in certain states (scope of practice varies greatly between different parts of the USA) the Chiropractic physician may have to instruct and train another licensed health care provider to perform the service.

In the interim I would suggest you obtain a copy of the X-rays and medical chart notes for your sacrum and coccyx problem from the medical orthopedist. Next contact a local Chiropractic physician, perhaps your own personal Chiropractor or someone else referred to by a friend, family member or perhaps by your own family medical provider. Third, ask this doctor if they are willing and able to treat this problem (many often choose not to do so). If the doctor is willing to examine you and confirms the underlying cause of your problem and treats you then you will most often good relief within a few treatment sessions. If you are treated at a rate of twice weekly you should notice rapid improvement (feel better, results last longer and longer) within the first two or three weeks. I have had a number of patients with this particular problem over the past two decades and patients (and their spouses) reported a favorable outcome.

Treatments, even if you have to pay cash, should be quite affordable, considering what you already paid out of pocket (copay, deductable, insurance premiums) for care which didn't help much, from what you already wrote. Medical physians rarely have experience with "manual medicine" treatments used to treat this type of sacral-coccyx problem. You may be able to find and obtain a referral to a suitably trained osteopathic physician, with "manual medicine" skills, if you prefer. The delay in obtaining care for 8 months may have led to some joint degeneration so lasting improvement may take a bit longer. Please seek out care right away so you can start feeling better and regain your life.

Based on what you stated this condition is called "coccydynia" or "coccygodynia", i.e. lack of normal function due to pain (or dynia) due to the coccyx and associated structures (ICD-CM9 code 724.79).

Sincerely yours, Dr. H

Answer 2

Dislocated Tailbone

Answer 3

Hi there, I broke my tailbone while riding a roller coaster 4 years ago. I'm sure this isn't what you want to hear, and keep in mind, everybody is different. I was told the same as you and mine never got better. I went through all the procedures and medications and nothing helped. Finally I was told my last option was a coccygectomy (removal of the coccyx) which I had done. Another year went by and my pain increased. I had an Xray and the Dr. didn't remove the entire thing so I had another surgery to remove the final segment. Again, my pain worsened. Most have great success with the surgery. Again, some physical therapy, injections, medications and everything else, still pain. Nobody knows tailbone pain until you experience it. It's awful. The pain going from sitting to standing is very typical. I now have a morphine pump implanted for pain and that isn't working too well either, so you can tell I'm an extreme case. I would recommend a good cushion, not a donut as it still puts pressure on it. Here is a link to a good one I have with gel in it http://support-mobility.drleonards.com/Support-Mobility/Cushions-Pillows/Orthopedic-Gel-Cushion/17989.cfm it's pretty cheap and is thicker than many so it supports the body weight. Also, here is a support group on yahoo http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/t-bones/ I've been a member there for several years. It's all people with tailbone issues, a great group with a ton of information. Also, another great website is www.coccyx.org . There are doctors, tons of information and hundreds of personal stories of people that have had the same problems.

I wish you the best of luck. I hope some of this has helped..at least a little bit. I can sure sympathize with you. I know how bad the pain is, how it affects so many things in our lives that most take for granted. I wish you well and hopefully, yours will heal on its own.

Good luck!!!

Answer 4

My tailbone was slightly dislocated a while back because I twisted my waist in an akward manner. I was in terrible pain usually in the middle of sitting and standing or trying to get up from bed. My doctor had me lie down and he basically pushed my shoulder and hip in different directions to reset the bone. It worked and the pain was gone immediately. There was still some swelling though where the dislocation occured so there was still some slight discomfort. For that he gave me pain pills that were also anti-inflammatory (kind o like Motrin). That's it. I'm not a physician though so don't take my word for it. What worked for me may not work for you. Best bet is to still consult a doctor. You may also just go visit a chiropractor to have him reset your spine. It was just my luck that my doctor is trained in setting bones too because a typical MD is not really trained to do that and will most likely refuse to do it for fear of litigation. Hope that helps.

Answer 5

8 months of discomfort does seem to be a long time, however, the area hurt is constantly being aggravated, by sitting, walking. I wouldn't go doctor shopping, I think the diagnosis is right........but with sprain/strains time is what heals it. It seems as though the tip of the tailbone may have been broken and needs time to heal completely,obviously a cast won't work. I'd try sitz baths, the warm water may help soothe. Good luck.

Answer 6

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