Introduction

Go to external Internet siteCoccygodynia (also called coccydynia) is a pain syndrome of the rectal, and perineal areas that is due to injury to the coccyx.

Please see conventional, complementary, and alternative medical treatments for important background information regarding the different types of medical treatments discussed on this page. Naturopathic, Complementary, and Alternative treatments that may be considered include:

Pathophysiology

  • Injury to the coccyx
  • Dislocation of the coccyx
  • Arachnoiditis
  • Spasm of muscles inserting or originating at coccyx

Clinical Presentation

  • Tenderness is mostly elicited by motion of the coccyx (as opposed to palpation of the levator ani).

Differential Diagnosis

  • Coccygodynia (tenderness elicited by coccygeal motion)
  • Degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine.
  •  >   
    Proctalgia fugax (stabbing pain)
  •  >   
    Levator spasm (left-sided, as if sitting on ball)

Management

A dislocation of the coccyx should be reduced by bi-manual manipulation with a finger in the rectum.

See proctalgia fugax for additional treatment modalities.

References