Child Complaining Of Tailbone Pain. Given Antibiotic And Then Asked To Put Neosporin With Advil. Suggest?

Posted on Thu, 5 Sep 2013

Question: My 13 year old is complaining of tailbone pain. The says it hurts exactly on the bone. She even asked to go to the doctor, very unusual. She has had no injury to that area. One doctor gave her an antibiotic in case there was an infection under the skin and then something for pain. Another doctor said to put neosporin in that area and take Advil and it should be better in a couple of weeks. It is better, but after sitting and then the stands up she said it really, really, hurts.

Answered by Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (21 minutes later)

Hi, thanks for writing to XXXXXXX

Based on the description, all the symptoms are suggestive of COCCYDYNIA (pain in the tail bone region).

In majority of the cases the exact cause of pain is not known, in which case it is called as IDIOPATHIC COCCYDYNIA.

The possible causes of coccydynia are -
* Local trauma in the form of any unnoticed injury is the most common cause
* Certain activities that exert prolonged pressure over the tail bone like sitting on a hard surface or horse riding etc
* Any infection in that area
* Lastly a spinal cyst or a tumour

The treatment for this condition involves the following -

* Sit completely upright with proper posture — keeping your back firmly against the chair, knees level with your hips, feet flat on the floor and shoulders relaxed

* Sitz baths (which involves soaking hips and buttocks)

* Lean forward while sitting down

* Sit on a doughnut-shaped pillow or wedge (V-shaped) cushion

* Apply heat or ice to the affected area

*Physical therapy involving strengthening of pelvic area muscles , stimulation with ultrasound therapy

* Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil)

If the symptoms are not resolving with the above measures, then a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon is mandatory for further evaluation and management.

Hope I have addressed your issue. Happy to help for any further clarification.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (2 hours later)

Would a cyst or tumor have showed up on an xray?

Answered by Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (5 hours later)

Hi, Nice to hear from you.

The possibility of a cyst or tumour causing coccydynia is a very rare entity.

Generally,its possible to detect a cyst or a tumour on plain xrays but not always. In such a case either ultrasound examination or MRI scan may be needed.

If you are concerned, please get evaluated.

Good day

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar