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What Causes Pain In The Tailbone?
Posted on
Mon, 10 Nov 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 10 Nov 2014
Answered on
Wed, 3 Dec 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : I am unable to sit a long period of time without pain in my tailbone/coccyx....I have to shift my body and and raise up taking pressure off my back......there is a small rising or abnormal feel on my rear end near my rectumbut I have no idea what itis...it is really uncomfortable..
Brief Answer:
Osteoporosis may be the cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. The cause of your suffering seems to be severe weakness of bone (osteoporosis) for which calcium tablet alone may not work. The osteoporosis may be confirmed by Bone mineral density (BMD) by dexa scan along with X ray of spine.
For Osteoporosis there is few options like-1. Calcitonin nasal spray (Rock bone C nasal spray).2. Once a year injection of zoledronic acid, once a month tablet of alendronate, once a week tablet of ostephos.3. Injection Teriparatide.
You may discuss with your treating doctor and decide what is best for you.
Take balanced diet rich in calcium (1000mg/day) and vitamin (1000 i.u. /day) along with vitaminB12, B6.
I suggest you to follow the below mentioned measures to reduce your back pain-
1. Usually 1-2 days of bed rest will calm severe back pain. Do not stay off your feet for longer, though.
2. Avoid lifting weights as it imparts more strain on your back
3.Change your daily activities so that you avoid movements that can cause further pain, especially bending forward and lifting as it will worsen the intervertebral disc problems. If you want to bend forwards, do it with your hips and knees flexed.
4.Use a lumbosacral back support to stabilize your spinal muscles and to provide support for your spinal column.
5.After the initial pain has subsided, remedial exercises to strengthen the spine are very important to restore normal spinal movements and muscle strength. The main aim of exercise is to encourage mobility, reduce muscle spasm, prevent further deterioration in the muscles and speed recovery.
6.You should maintain an optimum body weight to decrease the strain on your vertebral column causing more degeneration and arthritic changes.
As far as abnormal feel or rising is concern it needs physical examination to confirm. It could be the common sebaceous cyst to pilonidal sinus.
Hope this information suffices.
Take care and I shall be glad to answer any further query.
Regards
Osteoporosis may be the cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. The cause of your suffering seems to be severe weakness of bone (osteoporosis) for which calcium tablet alone may not work. The osteoporosis may be confirmed by Bone mineral density (BMD) by dexa scan along with X ray of spine.
For Osteoporosis there is few options like-1. Calcitonin nasal spray (Rock bone C nasal spray).2. Once a year injection of zoledronic acid, once a month tablet of alendronate, once a week tablet of ostephos.3. Injection Teriparatide.
You may discuss with your treating doctor and decide what is best for you.
Take balanced diet rich in calcium (1000mg/day) and vitamin (1000 i.u. /day) along with vitaminB12, B6.
I suggest you to follow the below mentioned measures to reduce your back pain-
1. Usually 1-2 days of bed rest will calm severe back pain. Do not stay off your feet for longer, though.
2. Avoid lifting weights as it imparts more strain on your back
3.Change your daily activities so that you avoid movements that can cause further pain, especially bending forward and lifting as it will worsen the intervertebral disc problems. If you want to bend forwards, do it with your hips and knees flexed.
4.Use a lumbosacral back support to stabilize your spinal muscles and to provide support for your spinal column.
5.After the initial pain has subsided, remedial exercises to strengthen the spine are very important to restore normal spinal movements and muscle strength. The main aim of exercise is to encourage mobility, reduce muscle spasm, prevent further deterioration in the muscles and speed recovery.
6.You should maintain an optimum body weight to decrease the strain on your vertebral column causing more degeneration and arthritic changes.
As far as abnormal feel or rising is concern it needs physical examination to confirm. It could be the common sebaceous cyst to pilonidal sinus.
Hope this information suffices.
Take care and I shall be glad to answer any further query.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Mukesh Chugh
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1997
Answered : 1619 Questions
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