Long coccyx with anterior angulation, now removed
Brandi, USA - bburdette073011@gmail.com
Posted 2020-01-26
I had suffered with coccyx pain for YEARS with no help from doctors. I tried every cushion I could find with little to no relief, chiropractic care, physical therapy etc. I had x-rays and 2 MRI'S, and everytime my results came back the radiologists always said unremarkable regarding my coccyx. Their answer was to send me to pain management.
While researching coccyx pain I found this website. I looked at a few of the doctors closest to me and researched them a little. I chose Dr John Glaser with MUSC in Charleston (see Doctors and specialists in the USA, South Carolina). It was a 4.5 hr drive, but within minutes of him looking at my images he told me what my issue was. I had an anterior angulation, my coccyx was longer than normal, it was in my bowel space, and could have caused a bowel perforation.
He told me that day that I would need a coccygectomy. They called me the next day and set my surgery up. I had the complete coccygectomy December 17 2019.
The first week or so was a little rough, but by the time I had my follow up January 1 2020 I felt so good I asked to go back to work! I still have some soreness when I sit for long periods, but I am only 1 month post op. The pain that I had prior to surgery is gone! The soreness I have after sitting now is just because I'm still healing.
I am so grateful to this website for helping me find an amazing doctor. There is hope!!!
Update, 2022-06-03
I had my total coccygectomy in 2019. This surgery has still been the most life changing surgery for me! The chronic pain that I was in is gone!!! I can ride a 6 hour car ride without the debilitating pain that I had prior to surgery. I do still get a little sore but NOTHING like what I felt like prior.
Since my surgery I have been able to complete nursing school and I am an RN and work 12 hour shifts in an emergency department. I wouldn't have EVER been able to do any of that if I was still in the chronic pain that was caused by my coccyx.
I had a total coccygectomy which means I have no joints remaining of my coccyx. I do not have a lot of cushion in my buttocks area so it does mean that I sit on my sacrum some when I do sit. It can get sore if I sit for extended periods, but that happens rarely. My surgeon done an amazing job and I am able to do so many things now that I wouldn't have imagined I would have been able to do prior to this surgery.
Each experience is personal and we do not all respond and heal the same way, but my experience was a very positive experience and my only regret is that I didn't have the surgery sooner!!!!
Good luck to everyone out there suffering from chronic coccyx pain, but I am a firm believer that if you find the right doctor, even if surgery isn't the answer, that there is hope!
