The efficacy of coccygectomy in patients with persistent coccydynia.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of coccygectomy in patients with persistent coccydynia and coccygeal instability. METHODS: The Danish National Spine Registry, DaneSpine, was used to identify 134 consecutive patients who underwent surgery, performed by a single surgeon between 2011 and 2019. Routine demographic data, surgical variables, and patient-reported outcomes, including a visual analogue scale (VAS) (0 to 100) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D), and the Physical Component Score (PCS) and Mental Component Score (MCS) of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) were collected at baseline and one-year postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 112 (84%) patients with a minimum follow-up of one year had data available for analysis. Their mean age was 41.9 years, and 15 (13%) were males. At 12 months postoperatively, there were statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) from baseline for the mean VAS for pain (70.99 to 35.34), EQ-5D (0.52 to 0.75), ODI (31.84 to 18.00), and SF-36 PCS (38.17 to 44.74). A total of 78 patients (70%) were satisfied with the outcome of treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients with persistent coccydynia and coccygeal instability resistant to nonoperative treatment may benefit from coccygectomy. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(3):542-546.

Polymethylmetacrylate Cement Augmentation of the Coccyx (Coccygeoplasty) for Fracture: A Case Report

Background: Coccydynia is a painful condition of the sacrococcygeal region, with symptoms associated with sitting and rising from a seated position. It is frequently related to trauma and idiopathic causes, and the pain is mostly chronic. Percutaneous vertebroplasty and sacroplasty are the methods that are widely used for treating compression fractures and sacral insufficiency fractures, respectively. However, the success of polymethylmethacrylate injection in the treatment of osteoporotic coccyx fractures and coccydynia is still unknown. Case Report: A 68-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with complaints of pain in the sacrococcygeal and perianal regions. In the imaging studies, a fracture line in the fifth sacral and first coccygeal segments was observed as evidenced by a bony edema. Since the patient's pain did not improve with conservative methods, we treated him with coccygeoplasty. No complication was encountered. The day after the operation, he was discharged from the hospital with complete pain relief. The patient confirmed having no pain on the third postoperative month and so did not need any analgesics. Conclusion: Coccyceoplasty may be a good treatment option for retractable pain in patients with acute or subacute osteoporotic coccygeal fractures and coccydinia with edema.

Pelvic Electric Potential as a Marker of Autonomic Dysfunctions and Risk Factor of Neurogenic Arrhythmias in Humans.

Differential high-resolution ECG (V1-V2) and pelvic electric potential measured between the coccyx and perineum were recorded simultaneously in resting supine position in men with autonomic nervous system disorders (N=37). In healthy volunteers (N=23), the effective (rms) value of PEP presented by median and interdecile range was 30 (20-80) µV within the frequency band of 0.03-80 Hz. In patients, the corresponding value was significantly higher: 140 (80-280) µV. In both groups, the amplitude harmonic spectrum of pelvic electric potential decreased monotonically with frequency according to 1/f1.6 law. In some patients (N=16), rare single or grouped high-amplitude impulses (up to 1 mV) of pelvic electric potential with total duration of about 1 sec were observed; of them, some persons (N=7) demonstrated practically one-to-one synchronous relations between these impulses and arrhythmia episodes indicating abnormal activity of the autonomic nervous system as their most probable common cause. The high-amplitude pelvic electric potential impulses were also observed in ECG records as interference signals with an amplitude attaining 50 µV. Thus, high-resolution ECG and pelvic electric potential can reveal the risk of abnormal neurogenic influences on the heart. The data obtained are discussed in relation to diagnostics of the autonomic nervous system disorders, neurogenic arrhythmias, and risk of sudden cardiac death.

Platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of coccydynia: a case report and review of regenerative medicine for coccydynia.

Aim: To describe the successful treatment of coccydynia using ultrasound-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma. Setting: Outpatient orthopedic practice. Patient: 17-year-old female with BMI of 42.6. Case description: The patient presented with 6 months of nontraumatic coccygeal pain exacerbated by sitting. Physical exam was significant for point-tenderness over the sacral hiatus and coccyx. A corticosteroid injection around the sacrococcygeal ligament was administered with immediate resolution of her pain following the injection with the anesthetic. The patient reported significant pain relief for 1 week. The superficial sacrococcygeal ligament was then treated with a platelet-rich plasma injection under US guidance. Results: The patient reported a 70% improvement in pain and sitting tolerance at 6 weeks. By 6 months post injection, her pain was 100% resolved, and she remained pain free at the 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: Platelet-rich plasma may be considered as a treatment option in patients with refractory coccydynia.

Terapia manual como tratamiento en pacientes con cocgigodinia / No disponible

Introducción: La coccidinia o coccigodinia fue descrita como un dolor que surge alrededor del coxis que puede irradiarse al ano, genitales y piernas, agravándose con la defecación y las relaciones sexuales. El dolor crónico en el ano, recto u otros órganos pélvicos, se presenta entre el 7% y el 24% de la población, asociándose con problemas de calidad de vida. La coccigodinia constituye menos del 1% de las consultas no traumáticas de dolencias vertebrales. Objetivo: Realizar una revisión sistemática sobre el tratamiento a través de la terapia manual en pacientes con coccigodinia. Material y Métodos: Se utilizan las bases de datos Pubmed, PEDro, Biblioteca Cochrane Plus, Scielo, LILACS, ENFISPO y ScienceDirect, empleando las palabras clave Coccyx; Coccydynia; Coccygodynia, "Physical Therapy Modalities"; "Manual Therapy"; Osteopath; Manipulati; Physiotherap y Treatment. Se incluyen ensayos clínicos publicados entre enero de 2000 y mayo de 2017, escritos en castellano, inglés, francés, italiano y portugués. Se excluyen artículos que no utilicen la terapia manual como tratamiento para la coccigodinia y los estudios sobre pacientes menores de 18 años. Resultados: Se seleccionan, siguiendo los criterios de inclusión/exclusión, 6 artículos para la presente revisión. Incluyen documentación sobre los tratamientos de terapia manual para abordar la coccigodinia, así como distintas maniobras de tratamiento. Conclusiones: La terapia manual como método para abordar la coccigodinia puede ser un tratamiento sencillo y efectivo para disminuir la sensación de dolor en estos pacientes. Las técnicas de tratamiento más empleadas son las manipulaciones intrarectales. Se necesita más cantidad de estudios de alta calidad metodológica para estudiar la efectividad de estas técnicas

No disponible

Pinzamiento isquiofemoral como causa de coxalgia / Ischiofemoral impingement as a cause of coxalgia

El pinzamiento isquiofemoral constituye una entidad patológica que se presenta en las consultas de rehabilitación general y que cursa con dolor y limitación funcional de la cadera en el adulto joven. Se debe a un conflicto de espacio entre la tuberosidad isquiática y el trocánter menor, por donde discurre el músculo cuadrado femoral, produciendo cambios en su estructura. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de mediana edad con dolor de cadera de larga evolución y sin mecanismo desencadenante, que fue diagnosticada mediante resonancia magnética nuclear y tratada en el Servicio de Rehabilitación, mejorando la clínica inicial sin necesidad de aplicar opciones terapéuticas de segundo escalón (AU)

Ischiofemoral impingement is a frequent unrecognized cause of pain and functional limitation of the hip in young adults in daily clinical practice. This impingement is described as entrapment of the quadrates femoris muscle between the lesser trochanter and the ischium, causing changes in its structure. We present the case of a middle-aged woman with long-term hip pain with no known cause. She was diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging and was successfully treated conservatively in our rehabilitation service, avoiding second-line therapeutic options (AU)

Coccydynia - could age, trauma and body mass index be independent prognostic factors for outcomes of intervention?

Introduction The aetiology of coccydynia can be multifactorial, with several associated factors such as obesity, female gender and low mood. The long-term results of operative interventions, such as manipulation under anaesthesia and coccygectomy are variable, ranging from 63-90%. Materials and methods Our aim was to identify whether age, trauma and body mass index (BMI) were independent prognostic factors in coccydynia treatment. All patients who presented to the Royal Derby Hospital with a primary diagnosis of coccydynia between January 2011 and January 2015 who had injections, manipulation under anaesthesia or coccygectomy were included. We used patient-reported satisfaction score as the primary outcome measure. We hypothesised that patients with preceding history of trauma and with high BMI (> 25) would be less satisfied. We divided patient BMI into four groups, following World Health Organization guidelines: group A (18.5-24.9), group B (25-29.9), group C (30-39.9) and group D (> 40). Results A total of 748 patients were diagnosed with coccydynia. Of these, 201 patients had 381 injections, 40 had 98 manipulations under anaesthesia and 9 had coccygectomy. Mean age was 46.4 years; 26% of patients had trauma to the coccyx. The mean time to follow-up was 7.3 months. We found a statistically significant difference (P = 0.03) between satisfaction scores in groups B and D. Patients who had trauma improved significantly (P = 0.04). The odds ratio calculation of coccygectomy and BMI revealed a higher risk of coccygectomy in Group A. Discussion This is the first study to establish BMI and trauma as independent prognostic factors for coccydynia treatment. Our hypothesis that patients with higher BMI would have lower satisfaction levels has been proven true.

Management of persistent coccydynia with transrectal manipulation: results of a combined procedure.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the results of manual therapy combined with steroid injection with single steroid injection in the treatment of persistent coccydynia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Combined therapy was performed in 21 patients (Group 1) and steroid injection in 23 patients (Group 2). We compared two groups and investigated the combined therapy group in details. Patients were classified according to the underlying cause, BMI, anatomic type of coccyx and duration of symptoms (< 6 or ≥ 6 months). RESULTS: Mean age was 30.5 years at the time of procedures. Mean followup time was 27.8 months. VAS scores were decreased in both groups but combined therapy group had much more better results. Complete pain relief was achieved in 61.9% of patients in Group 1 whereas it was only 17.4% in Group 2. In 23.8% of Group 1, the VAS score was significantly decreased but the feeling of uncomfortability persisted. This was 73.9% in Group 2. We had no relapse in Group 1 but in Group 2 the relapse rate was 56.5%. Underlying cause, body mass index, anatomic type of coccyx and duration of symptoms had no effect on results. CONCLUSION: Manual therapy combined with steroid injection would be an alternative method in case of persistent coccydynia. It is a safe and easy option before surgical treatment.

Coccygodynia - pathogenesis, diagnostics and therapy. Review of the writing.

Coccygodynia is a problem with a small percentage (1%) of the population suffering from musculoskeletal disorders. This pain is often associated with trauma, falling on the tailbone, long cycling, or by women after childbirth. The reason for the described problem can be the actual morphological changes. Idiopathic coccygodynia causes therapeutic difficulties to specialists of many fields. Unsatisfactory treatment, including coccygectomy tends to seek new solutions. They belong to them techniques exploited in the manual therapy which in their spectrum hold: direct techniques - per rectum as well as indirect techniques taking into account distant structures of the motor organ, remaining in dense interactions with the coccygeal part. Idiopathic coccygodynia is a result perhaps from exaggerated tension the muscle of the levator ani, coccygeus and gluteus maximus as well as from irritating soft tissue structures surrounding the coccyx: of sacrococcygeum, sacrospinale, and sacrotuberale ligament. Unfortunately we can't see them in objective examinations so as: the RTG, MR or TK, therefore constitute the both diagnostic and therapeutic problem. For describing the problem a writing of the object was used both from the field of the surgery and of manual therapy. Detailed and multifaceted knowledge about causes of the described problem allows more accurately to categorize the patient to the appropriate group and helps to select the best procedure of treatment.

Coccygodynia treated by pulsed radio frequency treatment to the Ganglion of Impar: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Chronic coccygodynia accounts for 1% of all back pain referrals and very difficult to treat with an enormous functional deficit. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case series was to examine the effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency treatment to the Ganglion of Impar in chronic coccygodynia patients unresponsive to comprehensive medical management. METHODS: Coccygodynia is defined as pain in and around the coccyx [1,2]. This retrospective review of twenty patients with a clinical diagnosis of coccygodynia and failed medical management treated with pulsed radio frequency applied to the Ganglion of Impar between January 2009 to December 2011 was carried out. A successful outcome was defined as > 50% improvement in pain on the visual analogue scale at 6 and 12 months follow-up. RESULTS: The application of pulsed radio frequency to the Ganglion of Impar was successful in fifteen (75%) patients and their mean pre treatment visual analogue scale score of 6.53 was reduced to 0.93 at 6 and 12 months follow up. In five (25%) patients the treatment was not successful and there was no difference between mean pre and post treatment visual analogue scale scores. CONCLUSION: We conclude that pulsed radio frequency treatment of the Ganglion of Impar should be considered when coccygodynia has proven resistant to medical management.

Ankylosing spondylitis and a diagnostic dilemma: coccydynia.

OBJECTIVES: Coccydynia is defined as pain in or around the tail bone area. The most common cause of coccydynia is either a trauma such as a fall directly on to the coccyx or repetitive minor trauma. The etiology remains obscure in up to 30% of patients. The literature on the contribution of rheumatic diseases to coccydynia is scarce. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of coccydynia in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. METHODS: One hundred and seven consecutive patients with AS were evaluated for coccydynia were enrolled between January and November 2012 for a cross-sectional analysis. Seventy-four consecutive patients were followed for mechanical back pain as controls and the AS patients were interviewed for the presence of coccydynia. The data collected was evaluated on SPSS® version 11.5 and Microsoft Excel® Programmes. RESULTS: Prevalence of coccydynia in AS (38.3%) was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.0001) in both female and male AS patients (female AS vs. control=40.9% vs. 18.4%, p=0.015 and male AS vs. control=36.5% vs. 8.0%, p=0.005). Both genders were affected equally in the AS group whereas coccydynia was slightly more frequent in female patients in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Coccydynia is a previously neglected symptom of AS and it is almost three times more common in AS than in non-specific chronic low back pain. Our observation may implicate that inflammatory diseases have a role in the etiology of coccydynia, especially in those without a history of recent or past trauma and coccydynia may be a factor associated with the severity of AS as well.

Acute traumatic instability of the coccyx: results in 28 consecutive coccygectomies.

INTRODUCTION: Coccygeal instability includes hypermobility, subluxation and fracture-dislocation. Surgical resection is still controversial, with intractable post-traumatic coccygodynia being an indication to surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2001 to 2010, we enrolled 31 patients with post-traumatic coccygodynia (19 females, 12 males; mean age 31 years, range 21-47). Conservative treatment failed in 28 patients, who underwent surgical resection of the coccyx. Twenty-one were total, while seven were partial coccygectomies. At follow-up (mean 33 months; range 24-70), clinical outcomes evaluation included measurement of complications rate, pain relief and satisfaction degree. RESULTS: Nineteen patients experienced complete pain relief, while two had incomplete, and four had no relief. Partial coccygectomies were associated with poor results. Twenty-one patients were satisfied, whilst four were not. CONCLUSIONS: Coccygectomy is the treatment of choice for post-traumatic instability. Patients' selection allowed excellent or good results. This study favors a more aggressive approach including total resection of the coccyx.

Magnetic resonance imaging morphology and morphometry of the coccyx in coccydynia.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. OBJECTIVE: To determine if differences exists between the bony anatomy of the coccyx in patients with coccydynia and that in subjects with no known coccygeal pathology. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Numerous bony characteristics of the coccyx have been described in patients with coccydynia but their significance is uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate these in patients with coccydynia and compare them with normal coccyges. METHODS: Magnetic resonance scans of the coccyx from 107 adults (mean age, 43 ± 12 yr; 84 females) with clinically diagnosed coccydynia were retrospectively analyzed and compared with 112 computed tomographic scans from sex-matched adults with normal coccyges. The following were assessed: coccygeal segmentation; sacrococcygeal and intercoccygeal joint fusion, angles, and curvature; bony spicule formation; and subluxation. RESULTS: Compared with normal, females with coccydynia had a more ventrally curved coccyx (curvature index, 85 ± 7 vs. 90 ± 5; P< 0.01), a lower prevalence of sacrococcygeal joint fusion (27% vs. 58%, P< 0.01), and a higher frequency of bony spicule formation (44% vs. 19%, P< 0.01). Males with coccydynia showed a trend toward a more ventrally curved coccyx (curvature index: 86 ± 6 vs. 89 ± 5, P< 0.08), and a lower prevalence of sacrococcygeal (27% vs. 60%, P< 0.02) and intercoccygeal (0% vs. 22%, P< 0.02) joint fusion. Combining statistically significant coccygeal parameters in a logistic regression model yielded sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values of 72%, 71%, and 73%, respectively in females and 52%, 92%, and 73%, respectively in males. CONCLUSION: This is the most detailed comparison of coccygeal morphology and morphometry in adults with and without coccydynia investigated using cross-sectional imaging. Anatomical differences in joint fusion and coccygeal curvature may either predispose to the development of coccydynia or arise as a result of this condition.

14. Coccygodynia.

Coccygodynia is painful condition localized in the region of the coccyx. In most cases a traumatic etiology is present. In the idiopathic form other causes such as infections and tumor have to be excluded. Coccygodynia can also be the result of pain referred from visceral structures due to conditions such as disorders of the rectum, the colon sigmoideum, and the urogenital system. In case of a traumatic etiology the diagnosis is made based on the typical medical history whereby the pain is provoked by prolonged sitting and cycling. Lateral images of the coccyx are always indicated. The same is true for manual examination of the coccyx. In case of absence of provocation of the coccygeal pain by prolonged sitting and manual examination neurological causes such as lumbar disc hernias are a possible reason for the coccygodynia. In the acute phase the first choice of treatment are NSAIDs. Treatment for patients with severe pain in the chronic phase consists of manual therapy and/or a local injection of local anesthetic and corticosteroid into the painful segment (2 C+). Other interventional treatments such as intradiscal injections, ganglion impar block, radiofrequency treatment and caudal block are advised only under study conditions (0). Coccygectomy is not recommended because of long-term moderate results and the chance of major complications.

Coccygectomy with or without periosteal resection.

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and wound complications in coccygectomy with or without subperiosteal resection. This retrospective study included 25 patients who underwent coccygectomy. Resection of all mobile coccygeal segments including the periosteum was performed in 11 patients (group 1) and resection was performed subperiostally sparing the periosteum in the remaining 14 patients (group 2). A visual analogue scale was used for pain assessment before and after the surgery both in sitting and standing positions. A questionnaire to evaluate subjective patient satisfaction was also used. The two groups were statistically similar in terms of age, sex, aetiology, duration of symptoms before surgery and follow-up time. Both surgical techniques resulted in a statistically similar clinical outcome. Overall, 84% of patients who underwent coccygectomy benefited from surgery. We observed four wound infections (two superficial and two deep) that caused delayed wound healing in group 1. The rate of infection in group 1 was statistically higher than in group 2. The results of this study suggest that periosteal preservation and closure are related to low risk of infection.

Paracoccygeal corkscrew approach to ganglion impar injections for tailbone pain.

A new technique for performing nerve blocks of the ganglion impar (ganglion Walther) is presented. These injections have been reported to relieve coccydynia (tailbone pain), as well as other malignant and nonmalignant pelvic pain syndromes. A variety of techniques have been previously described for blocking this sympathetic nerve ganglion, which is located in the retrorectal space just anterior to the upper coccygeal segments. Prior techniques have included approaches through the anococcygeal ligament, through the sacrococcygeal joint, and through intracoccygeal joint spaces. This article presents a new, paracoccygeal approach whereby the needle is inserted alongside the coccyx and the needle is guided through three discrete steps with a rotating or corkscrew trajectory. Compared with some of the previously published techniques, this paracoccygeal corkscrew approach has multiple potential benefits, including ease of fluoroscopic guidance using the lateral view, ability to easily use a stylet for the spinal needle, and use of a shorter, thinner needle. While no single technique works best for all patients and each technique has potential advantages and disadvantages, this new technique adds to the available options.

The application of infrared thermography in the assessment of patients with coccygodynia before and after manual therapy combined with diathermy.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the potential usefulness of a novel thermal imaging technique in the assessment of local physiologic responses before and after conservative therapies for coccygodynia. METHODS: Patients with coccygodynia were selected on the basis of detailed history taking, clinical examination, and dynamic series radiography. They underwent therapeutic modalities consisting of 6 to 8 sessions of manual medicine treatments (massage of the levators followed by Maigne's manipulative technique) and external physiotherapy (short-wave diathermy) 3 times a week for 8 weeks. We performed the assessments with numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and infrared thermography (IRT) before treatment and at 12 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients (6 males and 47 females) ranging from 18 to 71 years of age and clinically diagnosed with coccygodynia received the full course of therapy and assessments. There were significant differences in both NPRS and surface temperature obtained by IRT in the 12-week follow-up (P < .05). The correlation between NPRS improvement and temperature decrement was significantly high (r = 0.67, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that IRT can objectively show the decrement of surface temperatures correlating with changes in subjective pain intensity after treatment of coccygodynia. With the advantages of being painless, noninvasive, and easy to repeat, IRT appears to be useful as a quantifiable tool for monitoring the dynamics of the disease activity in coccygodynia.

Coccigodínias: diagnóstico por imagem / Coccygodynia: diagnostic imaging

Coccigodínia é uma síndrome dolorosa de difícil abordagem diagnóstica e terapêutica, ainda mal compreendida por clínicos, ortopedistas e radiologistas. No intuito de entender e diferenciar as anormalidades clínico-radiológicas encontradas nas coccigodínias, revisamos a anatomia normal do sacro-cóccix e das demais estruturas pélvicas, suas variações e alterações anatômicas, além doselementos biomecânicos e fisiopatológicos implicados na etiologia da dor. O estudo radiológico funcional do cóccix consiste na obtenção de incidências de perfil nas posições ortostática e sentada, que permite a determinação da mobilidade coccígea. Este método pode demonstrar lesãocausal em 70% dos casos de coccigodínia. A classificação radiológica segundo as alterações da dinâmica do cóccix pode orientar tratamentos e comparar respostas terapêuticas por subgrupos.

Coccygodynia is a painful syndrome still misunderstood by physicians. To understand the radiological abnormalities that may accompanythis syndrome we have revised sacro-coccygeal normal anatomy and its variants and biomechanical elements that may produce pain. Functional radiologic studies of the coccyx consistin lateral projection in upright and sitted positions. Such projections provide clues for the evaluation of coccygeal mobility and may disclose the causal lesion producing coccygodynia in about 70%of the patients. Radiologic classification of the dynamic dysfunctions of coccygeal mobility may orient treatments and compare outcomes in subgroups.