What are the dangers of coccyx protrusion?

We all know that our coccyx has less fat layer and is not as "fleshy" as the buttocks. When we fall, the pain of periosteum injury is unbearable. If the soft tissue under the periosteum bleeds, and the recovery is not ideal, it can easily turn into chronic fibrositis, which is a very long-lasting pain. If such patients stand or sit on a hard chair for too long, they will feel very uncomfortable and must change their sitting position frequently to relieve the pain. When standing up from a chair, there will be sudden cramping pain, and it is even more painful when riding a bicycle or motorcycle. So let’s take a look at the dangers of coccyx protrusion!

1. Population at risk

The human spine is divided into five parts: cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, sacral vertebrae and coccygeal vertebrae. Due to biological evolution, the human tail no longer exists. The number of coccygeal vertebrae is very small, only 4 to 5, and they are fused together to form the coccyx. Coccyx pain often occurs in the elderly, and its main causes are chronic strain of local ligaments and degenerative lesions of small joints. In addition, previous coccyx fractures, ligament and muscle strains, and local chronic inflammation can all induce this disease. Patients with coccyx pain often do not get long-term pain relief. The pain will be aggravated when lying on the back or sitting on a hard bench. Defecation may cause relatively severe pain, but the local area is not red or swollen and the appearance is completely normal.

2. Treatment recommendations

Because this disease is a chronic disease, long-term treatment is necessary. First of all, you should reduce the local load, walk as little as possible, and have foam plastic cushions on beds and chairs; secondly, pay attention to keeping warm. It is best to wear down pants or sheepskin pants in winter, and use a kang or electric blanket to keep warm at night; in addition, you should also do physical therapy according to the doctor's advice, such as heat therapy, wax therapy and electrotherapy, etc. You can also use massage and acupuncture treatment, and take a warm water sitz bath before going to bed every night to promote local blood circulation and the recovery of ligament and muscle function. If the treatment is correct, taking medication, cooperating with physical therapy and other methods, the effect is very significant. If there is no significant progress after three to six months of treatment, surgery should be considered to avoid suffering. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes treatment based on syndrome differentiation. If the patient suffers from a cold syndrome and has a cold constitution, this treatment can be used. If it is joint heat, this treatment is not suitable. He suggested that people maintain a good sitting posture, reduce pressure on the spine, and exercise more to reduce the chance of coccyx injury. For people with chronic coccyx pain, the most important thing is to minimize or avoid pressure on the affected area. When sitting normally, you can put a decompression cushion similar to a lifebuoy on the chair to reduce pressure on the affected area. This hollow-designed cushion can disperse the pressure on the coccyx and buttocks, allowing patients to sit longer and work more conveniently. At home, you should apply hot compresses to the affected area frequently, or ask a Chinese medicine practitioner to use ultrasound treatment to enhance blood circulation in the painful area and promote therapeutic effects. Generally, the disease can be cured after about half a year of treatment.

3. Causes of the disease

There can be many reasons for coccyx pain, including trauma, chronic inflammation of the coccyx joints, bone lesions, and chronic lesions caused by abnormal sitting posture, etc. It is recommended to go to a regular hospital for an X-ray or CT scan to determine the treatment plan. The symptoms of coccyx pain include tenderness near the coccyx in the buttocks or leg pain, covering the coccyx, levator ani muscles and surrounding soft tissues. The ratio of male to female patients is two to six, and the age of patients is not limited to the elderly, but people aged between 10 and 70 may suffer from this disease.

⑴ People who sit in an incorrect posture for a long time, have had surgery on the perineum (between the anus and external genitalia) and rectum, or have had a dislocated or fractured coccyx may suffer from coccyx discomfort.

⑵ As for women, due to the special structure of the pelvis or because the fetus is too large, vaginal delivery directly compresses the coccygeal nerve, causing coccyx pain.

⑶ If you have ever had an accident, such as falling or slipping from a bicycle or motorcycle, falling down the stairs, or a sports injury, it may directly impact the coccyx and cause coccyx pain and other discomfort.

⑷ Our coccyx has less fat layer and is not as "fleshy" as the buttocks. When we fall, the pain of periosteum injury is unbearable. If the soft tissue under the periosteum bleeds, and the recovery is not ideal, it can easily turn into chronic fibrositis, which is a very long-lasting pain. If the above patients stand or sit on a hard chair for too long, they will feel very uncomfortable and must change their sitting posture frequently to relieve the pain. When standing up from a chair, there will be sudden cramping pain, and it is even more painful when riding a bicycle or motorcycle.

⑸After women’s menstruation ends, their bones begin to calcify and degenerate, which is also the cause of coccyx pain.