Here are 5 possible causes of tailbone pain:

• Coccyx bruising, fracture, or dislocation. Damage to the bony segments or ligaments of the coccyx may occur due to^1,3: ...
• Anatomical changes in the coccyx. ...
• Coccyx bone spurs. ...
• Coccygeal arthritis. ...
• Coccygeal infections and tumors.

How do I know if tailbone pain is serious?

See your doctor if the pain is severe or lasts more than a few days. Most of the time, tailbone pain isn't serious. It can sometimes be a sign of an injury. In very rare cases, tailbone pain can be a sign of cancer.

What does a sore tailbone indicate?

Answer From Margaret Moutvic, M.D. Tailbone pain — pain that occurs in or around the bony structure at the bottom of the spine (coccyx) — can be caused by trauma to the coccyx during a fall, prolonged sitting on a hard or narrow surface, degenerative joint changes, or vaginal childbirth.

Why do I have tailbone pain without injury?

Causes. Most of the time, coccydynia is caused by an injury or other trauma to the tailbone, which causes inflammation. In rare cases, there may be no real injury or trauma to the tailbone, and this condition may seem to appear on its own, without any real cause.

Can a tumor cause tailbone pain?

In very rare cases, tailbone pain can be a sign of cancer. You may get an X-ray or MRI scan to look for signs of injury, such as a bone fracture or a tumor pressing on the bone. X-rays may be taken both sitting and standing to show possible problems with your tailbone in different positions.

What does a tailbone tumor feel like?

Tumors in the spine can cause pain in the area of the tumor (neck, back, or tailbone). A tumor pressing on nearby nerves can cause symptoms similar to a slipped or herniated disk. These symptoms may include pain, weakness, numbness, clumsiness, or tingling in the arms or legs.

What cancers cause tailbone pain?

Tailbone pain may stem from chordoma, a rare, cancerous tumor that develops in your spine, the base of your skull, or your tailbone. As the mass grows, it can cause pain.

Can you have arthritis in your tailbone?

4. Coccygeal arthritis. It is possible for degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) to develop in the joints of the coccyx due to wear and tear, resulting in tailbone pain.

How do I make my tailbone stop hurting?

At-home remedies for tailbone pain (coccydynia) include:

1. Taking a NSAID like ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling.
2. Decreasing sitting time. ...
3. Taking a hot bath to relax muscles and ease pain.
4. Using a wedge-shaped gel cushion or coccygeal cushion (a “donut” pillow) when sitting.

What is the fastest way to heal a sore tailbone?

Symptom Relief

1. Rest and stop any physical activity that causes pain. The more you rest, the quicker the injury can heal.
2. Ice your tailbone for about 20 minutes every hour while awake for the first 48 hours, then 2 to 3 times a day. ...
3. Use a cushion or gel donut when sitting. ...
4. Avoid sitting a lot.

Who do I see for tailbone pain?

When Should I See a Doctor for Tailbone Pain? If your tailbone pain doesn't subside, you should consult with a hip surgeon. Your orthopedist may do an exam to rule out other conditions, including checking for a fracture, degenerative conditions, or even a tumor in the tailbone area.

When should I go to the doctor for tailbone pain?

If tailbone pain persists for more than two months or if it gets worse despite these measures, see your health care provider for an evaluation to rule out other potential causes. For chronic tailbone pain, a consultation with a specialist in pain medicine or physical medicine and rehabilitation may be useful.

Does coccydynia ever go away?

Fortunately, in most cases, the pain goes away on its own within a few months. During that time, there are steps your mother can take to help lessen the pain. If her tailbone pain lasts for more than two months, or if it gets worse despite home remedies, then your mother should see a doctor.

Can you get an infection in your tailbone?

There's a type of cyst you can get at the bottom of your tailbone, or coccyx. It's called a pilonidal cyst, and it can become infected and filled with pus. Once infected, the technical term is “pilonidal abscess,” and it can be painful.

What are the symptoms of chordoma?

These symptoms can include tingling, numbness, weakness, lack of bladder or bowel control, sexual dysfunction, vision problems, endocrine problems and swallowing difficulties. If the chordoma has grown very large, you may be able to feel a lump.

What is Clival chordoma?

Clival chordomas are locally invasive tumors of the midline skull base. Chordoma are locally invasive slow-growing malignant tumors that arise from the remnant of the primitive notochord. They occur most commonly in the skull base (clivus) and lower spine.

Can internal hemorrhoids cause coccyx pain?

When the hemorrhoidal tissues become inflamed or enlarged, and especially when they prolapse, they cause the levator muscles to pull harder. This moves the coccyx more than normal, causing tailbone pain. Like other bones, the coccyx has pain nerve fibers.

Can endometriosis cause tailbone pain?

Though pain in the tailbone area isn't normally anything to worry about, it's good to be aware that it can be a potential symptom of endometriosis.

What is chronic coccydynia?

Coccydynia is persistent, chronic pain of the coccyx (tailbone). The tailbone is the small, triangular bone at the bottom of the spine. It's the last segment of the spinal column and is made up of 3-5 vertebrae. When the tailbone sustains an injury or damage, it causes inflammation that leads to pain and tenderness.

Can pelvic floor dysfunction cause tailbone pain?

Other times the cause is pelvic floor dysfunction, specifically spasm of pelvic muscles that attach directly to the coccyx. And still other causes of tailbone Pain (Coccydynia) for which pelvic floor PT is warranted are misalignment of your pelvis and low back, postural strain or constipation.

What is Coccygeal nerve?

The coccygeal nerves (spinal nerves Co) or tailbone nerves are the last and the smallest pair of spinal nerves. They originate from the conus medullaris (terminal segment of the spinal cord) located in the distal part of the vertebral column.

Why does my tailbone hurt from sitting?

People typically experience coccydynia, or persistent tailbone pain, when they are sitting or when something is putting pressure on the lower spine. Sitting in an awkward position, falling backward, childbirth, and hypermobility can all injure the bone itself or the surrounding tissue and muscles.

Can you get bursitis in your tailbone?

Other conditions that present with pain in the buttock region can include bursitis (inflammation of a bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac, of which there are many throughout the body). “Idiopathic” coccyx pain: In many cases, the exact cause of the coccydynia remains unknown.

Can sciatica cause pain in tailbone?

Sciatic nerve irritation in the lower buttocks or upper thigh. People with tailbone pain often sit leaning forwards to avoid putting pressure on to the tailbone. This can put additional pressure on to the sciatic nerve at the lower buttock or upper thigh.