Board-certified surgeon Dr. Scott Katzman is one of the most sought-after coccygectomy surgeons in the country with a 99% success rate for coccygectomy procedures used to reduce and eliminate tailbone pain.
Coccygectomy is a surgical procedure in which the coccyx or tailbone is removed in order to relieve chronic, debilitating tailbone pain known as coccydynia.
People who need a coccygectomy are suffering from chronic coccydynia and have exhausted all conservative, non-surgical treatments with little to no progress to show for it. Try our treatment checker tool below to see if a coccygectomy is the right treatment for you.
The tailbone in humans is called the coccyx and is extremely vulnerable to injury. The most common cause of coccyx pain is a fracture. In some cases, those who suffer tailbone fractures never fully heal and are left with chronic and persistent pain, even when performing basic daily activities, such as sitting and walking. In most cases, these patients even have pain with bowel movements.
For patients suffering from chronic tailbone pain, it can be tough to decide whether to consider a coccygectomy to remove the tailbone. However, it’s a safe and effective outpatient surgery that our surgeons have performed successfully time and time again with 95% of our patients living pain-free in 90 days or less. Patients no longer have to suffer with chronic tailbone pain thanks to safe and effective tailbone removal surgery.
In general, a coccygectomy is simple and straightforward. The broken tailbone is surgically removed. The truth is, it is considered vestigial (no longer necessary).Â
At International Spine & Sports Institute, our outpatient coccygectomy can be completed in about an hour. Additionally, because we use only the most innovative minimally invasive surgical techniques, our patient’s tissues and muscles are simply moved and not cut, which allows us to considerably reduce any trauma, pain and bleeding.
If you are suffering from prolonged or permanent tailbone pain, International Spine & Sports Institute, led by Dr. Scott Katzman, is one of the few practices in the United States that specializes in the treatment of painful coccyx fractures.Â
In fact, we have a 99% success rate, are ranked #1 in the country and our surgeons successfully treated and cured more painful coccyx problems than any other center with our simple and effective outpatient tailbone surgery.
After a coccygectomy, you can expect to experience a long healing process. It’s normal to experience some swelling and blood clotting, and you may experience increased pain for several weeks, especially when sitting or using the bathroom. Many patients can manage pain in the first few days after surgery with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or pain medication prescribed by their doctor.
It may take up to a year to see the full benefits of the surgery, and continued pain after that time is a possible risk.
If you have confirmed coccydynia or chronic tailbone pain and have not seen success or results with non-surgical treatments, you could be a candidate for coccygectomy. To find out if you are a candidate for coccygectomy try our interactive candidacy check tool.
Q: Am I a candidate for tailbone removal surgery?
A: A coccygectomy, or tailbone surgery, is usually a last-resort procedure for patients with chronic tailbone pain that doesn’t respond to other treatments. It’s typically recommended for patients who have a substantial disability or an anatomic defect in the coccyx, such as a fracture, dislocation, or birth defect. Other factors that may lead to a coccygectomy include tumors or degenerative damage to the tailbone caused by aging or disease.
Q: Are there any risks to tailbone surgery?
A: As with any major surgery, coccygectomy comes with a risk of infection, excessive bleeding, and nerve damage. You may also experience numbness in the affected area if the nerves are damaged during the procedure.
Q: How do you care for a coccygectomy wound?
A: Avoid sitting on hard surfaces or sitting for long periods until your sutures are removed and your wound is not sore. When you must sit, use a ring or donut-shaped cushion. Be sure to stand and walk around often to lessen pressure on the surgical site.
Try our Interactive Pain Assessment to get started.
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