Your doctor could also look for pilonidal cysts, which are cysts that occur only in the tailbone region, and are caused by infection of ingrown hair follicles. [1] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Successful treatment of these kinds of cysts may help relieve pain or remove pain altogether.
Pain in the tailbone or coccyx without pain in the lower back Pain when rising from a seated position to a standing position Frequent need to defecate or pain while defecating Relief of pain when sitting on legs or only on one buttock
By some estimates, coccydynia is roughly five times more common in women than it is in men. This may be due to injuries to the tailbone that may occur during childbirth. [3] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source [4] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Keep in mind that opiates are not typically given unless there is a fracture to the tailbone. If you have fractured your tailbone, your doctor may prescribe a prescription painkiller to help alleviate the pain. An x-ray would be required to determine if you have a fracture in your tailbone. [6] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
If the pain is severe enough, occurs daily for 6 months or more, and/or it interferes with your quality of life, then request a referral to an orthopedist who specializes in removal of the coccyx. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Because your tailbone doesn’t have a lot of padding over it, you may only be comfortable icing the area for about 5 minutes at a time. [9] X Expert Source David Schechter, MDFamily Medicine Practitioner Expert Interview. 15 July 2020.
Take 600 mg of ibuprofen every eight hours, or take 500 mg of acetaminophen every 4 hours. Do not exceed 3500 mg of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period.
Cushions shaped like a doughnut are not found helpful by most patients, as they are designed to relieve pressure on the genitals rather than the tailbone. Talk to your doctor about use of a wedge-shaped pillow.
Try a warm compress or hot bath if you do not have a heating pad.