For persistent pain that is not alleviated with non-surgical treatment and/or activity modification, surgical removal of all or a portion of the coccyx (coccygectomy) is an option. 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.

Understanding the Context

Therefore, a coccygectomy is typically a last resort procedure after more conventional treatments have failed to provide relief. This procedure is typically recommended for patients who suffer from severe and chronic pain due to a coccyx abnormality, such as a dislocation or fracture. Coccygectomy is a surgical procedure in which the coccyx or tailbone is removed. It is considered a required treatment for sacrococcygeal teratoma and other germ cell tumors arising from the coccyx.

Key Insights

We analyzed peer-reviewed studies focusing on surgical techniques, outcomes and complications of coccygectomy. Studies were excluded if non-peer-reviewed, non-English without translation, or not directly addressing surgical management. Coccygectomy: Expected Recovery and Return to Work after surgery for coccyx pain, tailbone pain. (See the video below if you prefer to watch this as a video.) Let’s talk about what to expect for recovery after coccyx removal surgery which is called coccygectomy. Coccygectomy is the surgical removal of the coccyx (tailbone) for chronic, debilitating coccydynia unresponsive to extended non-surgical management including Physical Therapy and injections.

Final Thoughts

This procedure is for carefully selected patients where pain is localized to a pathological coccyx. Coccygectomy is the surgical removal of the coccyx (tailbone) where conservative treatment has failed to relieve the patient’s coccydynia. Cocccydynia is defined as pain in the region of the coccyx.