What happens if your coccyx is removed?

What happens if your coccyx is removed?

Potential Risks and Complications of Coccyx Surgery A possible but uncommon risk of coccygectomy is injury to the rectum as the coccyx is being removed. While it is unlikely, it is possible that if this were to happen, a diverting colostomy would be necessary to allow the rectum to heal.

Can you sit without a tailbone?

Function of the Coccyx Although the tailbone is considered vestigial (or no longer necessary) in the human body, it does have some function in the pelvis. For instance, the coccyx is one part of a three-part support for a person in the seated position.

How important is the tailbone?

Background. Despite its small size, the coccyx has several important functions. Along with being the insertion site for multiple muscles, ligaments, and tendons, it also serves as one leg of the tripod—along with the ischial tuberosities—that provides weight-bearing support to a person in the seated position.

What should you not do if your tailbone hurts?

To prevent tailbone pain, people should avoid prolonged sitting and high impact exercises, such as running and jumping. High impact exercises may aggravate any inflammation and cause the pelvic and hip muscles to tighten further.

Can I get my coccyx removed?

Coccygectomy is usually done under general anesthesia. Coccygectomy is the surgical removal of the tailbone (coccyx). It is done in the cases of pain in the tailbone region (coccydynia) when conservative treatment options, such as rest, painkillers, physiotherapy, and steroid injections, have failed.

How serious is tailbone pain?

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. 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.

How long does it take for coccyx to heal?

Healing time for an injured tailbone depends on the severity of the injury. If you have a fracture, healing can take between 8 to 12 weeks. If your tailbone injury is a bruise, healing takes about 4 weeks.

Is it possible to remove the coccyx of the tailbone?

Injections of local anesthetics into the tailbone are sometimes required for continuing pain. Rarely, the coccyx may be surgically removed. Follow-up is recommended at the discretion of your doctor and depends on the severity of the injury and the progress you are making with medical treatment.

Can a coccyx be removed to prevent constipation?

Stronger pain medications may be prescribed at the discretion of your doctor. Stool softeners may be prescribed to prevent constipation. Injections of local anesthetics into the tailbone are sometimes required for continuing pain. Rarely, the coccyx may be surgically removed.

When to seek medical care for a coccyx injury?

When to Seek Medical Care. If you have the signs and symptoms of a coccyx injury or unexplained discomfort in the tailbone area, contact your doctor. It may be necessary for the doctor to decide if the injury is traumatic or if the pain is caused by other, more serious, problems.

How to treat a broken tailbone without surgery?

A broken or bruised tailbone is usually treated without surgery. It is successful in 90 percent of cases. Physical therapy and the use of special cushions are the most common and effective forms of treatment.