Coccyx - Coccyx Pain, Coccyx Fistula, Coccyx Inflammation

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Coccyx

Pain and inflammation of the coccyx, fistula on the coccyx

In an adult, the coccyx is a bone that has grown together from 4-5, less often from 3-6 vertebrae. The shape of the coccyx is a curved pyramid, with the base turned up and the top down. The vertebrae that form it have only bodies. The first coccygeal vertebra on each side has remnants of the superior articular processes in the form of small coccygeal horns directed upwards and connected to the sacral horns.

The upper surface of the coccyx is somewhat concave; it is connected to the apex of the sacrum by the sacrococcygeal joint. The tailbone of a person is a vestigial tail, but, despite this, it has an important functional significance for the body. The anterior sections of the tailbone attach the muscles and ligaments that are involved in the work of the organs of the genitourinary system and the distant sections of the large intestine.

Part of the muscle bundles of the gluteus maximus muscle is attached to the tailbone, which affects the extension of the hip. In addition, the tailbone distributes physical activity to the parts of the pelvis, performs the task of support during tilting back in a sitting position. Mobility in the coccyx is more pronounced in women. In the birth period, it deviates back, and due to this, the size of the birth canal increases.

Tailbone pain

The tailbone is an area where very painful sensations are frequent, their appearance has nothing to do with age, this may not be associated with changes in climatic conditions, or with urological, gynecological or bone diseases. It is often impossible to determine exactly where the pain is located, and patients indicate its presence around the tailbone. One of the most common coccyx diseases is coccygodynia. This pathology occurs mainly in women.

Anococcygeal pain syndrome (coccygodynia) is difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. The pain can be constant, long and short, dull tingling, radiating to the thigh and perineum, there is a constant feeling of heaviness or burning in the coccyx, a feeling of discomfort, the pain goes away on its own at any time. Coccygeal pain occurs as a result of inflammatory processes causing degenerative changes in the coccyx.

This includes arthrosis of the sacrococcygeal joint. Of course, many diseases of other organs and systems can radiate pain to the tailbone. Often, burning and paroxysmal pains indicate sciatic nerve neuralgia, inflammation of the appendages of the uterus (adnexitis), fallopian tubes and ovaries, salt deposits or inflammation in the joint connecting the sacrum and coccyx.

Often this happens in the case of diseases of the lumbar and sacral spine, osteochondrosis, diseases of the large intestine, genitourinary organs, hemorrhoids and cysts. Infringement of nerve endings or sciatica is also manifested by a sharp and burning pain in the tailbone. The tailbone hurts in women during the period of gestation, especially if the fetus is large, after a difficult birth, with a lack of calcium. Severe pain occurs in people with prolonged sitting on a soft surface or after suffering stress.

Dysfunction of the neuromuscular apparatus of the pelvic floor, neuralgic disease of the spine, rectum (hemorrhoids, anal fissures, proctitis, sigmoiditis) cicatricial deformities of the anus after surgery, prolapse of the perineum, prolonged sitting in the toilet - these many other factors can cause pain in the coccyx … Pain in the tailbone is caused by injuries, bruises and fractures resulting from an unsuccessful fall or impact.

When riding a bicycle or while walking fast on a road with an uneven surface, there is a risk of dislocation, displacement, cracks. Pain in the tailbone occurs unexpectedly, does not allow to sit and walk normally, it can remind of an injury even after a few years. With pain in the coccyx, it is necessary to consult an osteopathic doctor for correct diagnosis and adequate treatment. Such pains last for years, their intensity either increases or decreases, is permanent, arises and also suddenly disappears.

Tailbone fistula

A fistula is a narrow canal formed from the inside by epithelial tissue during inflammation, accompanied by the formation of purulent cavities. Most often, a fistula on the tailbone is observed in young and middle-aged men. You can not suspect for a long time about the presence of a fistulous canal, the manifestation of this pathology is reduced to insignificant constant purulent discharge over the anus, increased skin moisture between the buttocks and anal itching.

An abscess can occur at any time from an injury, after opening it, a non-healing fistula or several fistulas appear. There is a congenital skin anomaly (epithelial coccygeal passage) when thin bundles of hair stick out from the pinholes on the tailbone (reduction of the atavistic tail muscle). The fistula may not manifest itself all life, and only in case of injury can the external opening of the stroke clog, fester and break through.

In the acute period of development of the fistula, an increase in temperature, pain, hyperemia and swelling of tissues is noted, this can lead to the formation of several fistulas. Development of eczema is possible. Treatment of fistulas involves only surgery, the operation consists in excision or removal of the coccygeal passage.

Coccyx inflammation

The life of a modern person has changed a lot due to the development of science and technology. Computers, telephones have significantly reduced an active lifestyle, people began to move less and engage in physical labor. Physical inactivity contributes to the development of various diseases, including inflammation of the coccyx. This disease is characterized by one symptom - pain in the lower spine.

The pain is described in different ways, it can appear or intensify when changing the position of the body, when sitting, when turning during a night's rest. Redness of the skin, swelling, irritation and increased sensitivity can mean serious pathologies in the body or the development of a coccyx cyst. Inflammation of the coccyx can provoke injury to other parts of the spine, hard physical labor, a decrease in metabolic processes and aging of the body, hypothermia and entrapment of the sciatic nerve, damage to the bone system by infection.

Treatment for the disease depends on the cause. If the inflammation is related to a secondary disease, then therapy of the underlying disease and local treatment are prescribed. Pain relievers are introduced into the complex treatment of coccyx inflammation, their choice depends on the severity of the pain syndrome (pills, injections, local anesthesia). It is also advisable to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve swelling in addition to pain, and medications that reduce muscle tension. If there is no damage to the skin, massage and physiotherapy treatments are helpful.

The prescription of any drugs should be justified, it is worth taking seriously this type of disease, since the development of complications will require great efforts during surgical treatment. In addition, if a diagnosis is made and it is found that the inflammation of the coccyx is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, it is recommended to reconsider your capabilities, change jobs, and go in for sports.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".