What will happen in coccyx surgery?

If the tailbone pain is continual and couldn’t be lessened through non-surgical treatment or any home remedies, then the only option to get rid of the pain is surgical removal of all or a portion of the coccyx.

Several points are mentioned in medical grounds about how long we can carry on with medications and home remedies before surgery is recommended. Some doctors suggest two to three months and some others believe that approximately eight months of medication should be followed before we opt for coccyx surgery.

A surgery in the coccyx, called Coccygectomy, is not often recommended and performed. The surgery itself is a comparatively an uncomplicated operation, but recovery from the surgery will take a long time and painful process for the patient. During the surgery, which involves giving general anesthesia, a cut is made in the skin directly over the coccyx. The coccyx is removed, and the prominent end of the sacrum, the bone to which the coccyx is attached is curved off. Dissolvable stitches are put on the wound, which in turn will be covered with a dressing.

After the surgery, you may have your life back rather than suffering for years with it. If the bone anatomy appears obviously unfixable and after going through a year or two taking all medications but with persistent pain, then probably the pain may never go without surgical intervention. But you should have in mind the sensitive location of the coccyx and the risk of infection.

Success in removing coccyx completely may be great, but the recuperation is somewhat longer than partial removal. You should give a good amount of time, say, almost a year for complete healing. Because of the time taken for healing, surgery is not suggested in many cases. You may need two to four months to do your regular activities and get back on track. To become completely fit and for resuming professional activities, it may take approximately six months.

You may find it quite uncomfortable to sit in a proper position for several weeks after your operation. Use of a gel-filled cushion could be very helpful.

Tight-fit jeans and heel shoes cannot be worn until the injury is completely cured.

Sleeping in your favorable position cannot be possible, and you will be advised to sleep on your side.

There may be swelling in the area which can be reduced by using the ice packs. Care should be taken not to place the ice packs directly on the skin, and a waterproof dressing should be there on the wound.

80-90% of patients will experience relief of their pain after the surgery, but 10-20% will continue to have pain. And it may take several months and even a year for a complete cure after the surgery.