Coccygodynia review: coccygectomy case series.

BACKGROUND: Coccygodynia is a pain of the coccyx that is typically exaggerated by pressure. Management includes anti-inflammatory medications, physiotherapy, and coccyx manipulation. Coccygectomy is the surgical approach for treating coccygodynia when the conservative management fails. Generally, coccygectomy yields good results. Its most common complication is wound infection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of coccygectomy in patients with coccygodynia.

METHODS: A retrospective review of 70 patients (52 females and 18 males) with coccygodynia at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh was carried out, and the outcomes were studied. Twenty patients did not respond to conservative management; therefore, bimanual coccyx manipulation was done. Eleven were identified with instability and did not respond to coccygeal manipulation. Coccygectomy was performed on 8 patients while 3 declined.

RESULTS: All patients who underwent coccygectomy showed improvement of their symptoms. One case of superficial wound infection and delayed wound healing was encountered.

CONCLUSION: Coccygectomy provides effective pain relief to patients not responding to conservative therapies.