Norwalk
The tailbone is highly prone to bruising and breaking when you fall on your back. It’s rare for the tailbone to break, but once it happens, it can be painful and may take some time to heal. It may also cause painful bowel movements, urination, and swelling at the base of the spine. There are several treatment options available to treat a broken tailbone.
Broken tailbone surgery can be performed by a team of spine surgeons and medical staff. At CT Spine & Orthopedic, our team uses minimally-invasive laser spine surgeries to eliminate pain at the tailbone. Here’s what you should know about coccygectomy or broken tailbone surgery in Norwalk, CT.
Coccygectomy, or broken tailbone surgery, removes the tailbone or coccyx to relieve a patient from coccydynia. Coccydynia refers to the pain experienced in the coccyx region. Orthopedic surgeons decide on tailbone surgery when other methods, such as physical therapy, special cushions, medication, and pelvic floor rehabilitation, don’t work.
A Norwalk broken tail bone surgeon performs this surgery under general anesthesia. They start the process by cutting a small incision over the coccyx. They then remove the coccyx entirely from the sacrum end, which is smoothened. The surgery can also include partial removal of the broken segments. These two approaches best suit people experiencing too much motion or freedom of their coccyx and those experiencing new bone growths.
Surgery isn’t often considered to treat a broken tailbone. An orthopedic specialist will only decide on this treatment if you don’t respond to non-surgical treatment options, like physical therapy, medication, or using coccygeal cushions. A surgeon will also recommend this treatment after thoroughly assessing your coccyx to confirm the extent of the injury.
The diagnosis usually involves a thorough examination of your medical history, conducting a physical exam, and medical testing. An orthopedic specialist will explore the following while examining your medical history:
Your doctor will have to conduct X-rays and an MRI scan to prove further whether you have a broken tailbone. X-ray diagnosis is relatively easy to undergo. It includes a sitting or standing lateral X-ray to provide accurate images of the coccyx. In addition, the surgeon may need an MRI scan if there are issues with the structure of the coccyx at the time of the injury or if you’re experiencing conditions like constipation or obesity. These two conditions make it difficult to determine whether you have a broken tailbone.
Everyone has a different experience following a coccygectomy. For instance, you may be able to get up and move around and be discharged at the same time, while others may need to stay in the hospital for a while for further monitoring. You may also need to stay in the hospital if you have difficulty mobilizing and require physiotherapy or a walking aid.
In some cases, patients experience pain after the surgery. Your Norwalk broken tail bone surgeon will prescribe pain relief medication. Follow their dosage instructions to ease the pain and help you return to work immediately.
For several weeks after the operation, you may experience pain while sitting. Invest in a gel-filled cushion, and always lean forward to support your weight on a flat surface like a table while sitting. You should also avoid wearing tight-fitting trousers or jeans until your wounds heal and the pain subsides.
It’s also advisable to sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees, although this may be uncomfortable for some people. Such people can sleep on their front but should place a pillow below their hips for support.
It’s essential to seek medical intervention from an experienced back specialist in Norwalk, CT, if you experience persistent pain in the coccyx area. This ensures you get an accurate diagnosis to determine if you need surgery. CT Spine and Orthopedic offers the best tailbone surgery across New Jersey and the country. We’re dedicated to providing minimally-invasive surgeries to eliminate your pain.
For more information, contact our coccygectomy surgeons in Norwalk at (866) 553-0612 or fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you. Our Concierge Team can also help you navigate your appointments and streamline your treatment in order to help alleviate your stress throughout the entire process.
