Yes! It is very likely to be a result of your weight loss. Before you lost your weight from bariatric surgery your “tail bone”, which doctors call your coccyx, is protected by the fatty tissue at your bottom. Now that you do not have this protection your coccyx is being irritated by the chair you are sitting on and is repeatedly traumatized day after day. This is like having arthritis of the “tailbone” and is called coccydynia.
This does not happen to everyone because it depends on a person’s anatomy. If the coccyx is high enough to be above the pelvic bones on either side, the “tailbone” is not bothered. However if it is lower than the pelvic bones on either side it is likely to touch the chair or whatever you are sitting on and become uncomfortable.
In my practice I have someone with this complaint about once every other month. Usually they have already tried changing chairs and cushions but continue to complain about the pain. In my opinion the best therapy for this problem is a steroid injection at the coccyx. I use Kenalog and local anesthesia and do the injection in the office. It only takes a few seconds. Patients feel better almost immediately because of the local anesthetic in the injection but the discomfort returns in an hour or so. This shows that the medicine was placed in the correct location. Usually the pain will slowly improve over the following few weeks and will eventially be gone completely. The steroid will continue to do its work for about three months. Often the discomfort will not return after this injection.
I hoe this is helpful.
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Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteHow timely, as my tailbone is really acting up today. I broke it many years ago and it didn't change location enough to fix so toughed it out. Losing the padding is a small price to pay for the results I am getting. Down 33 pounds from my highest weight already and am only 2 weeks out.
What perfect timing for this blog! I have lost around 80lbs. and some days my tailbone is just killing me especially after riding the recumbant bike. I injured it about 15 years ago on a rollercoaster at Cedar Point and thought I had reinjured it, but was wondering if it might be related to the loss of fat/padding down low. Your post makes total sense. I didn't know I could do anything about it so if it's not better by the time I visit in May..I know what I will be doing. THANKS FOR LETTING US KNOW!
ReplyDeleteI am glad this has solved the mystery for you!
ReplyDeleteSteve Myers, MD
I am glad this seems to have solved a mystery for you!
ReplyDeleteSteve Myers, MD
I have loss 90 pounds afte this surgery and I am 6 years out of surgery. I have really bad pelvic discomfort. I am now seeing a physical therpist at Riverside. My question is could this damgage to the tailbone run into the pelvic floor. I have suffer with my tailbone swelling for years...but never had it addressed. It is just now getting to a point that I cannot take the pain.
ReplyDeleteI'm 2 months out from RNY and doing good, except the pain when I sit for any length of time. I'm wondering if it's coming from the tailbone, though, as the pain is centered in both of my butt cheeks. It seems this is a common problem when talking with others on the OH Board. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis maybe is one of the most unrecognized side effect of losing weight from morbidly size bodies. Anyway, gastric bypass surgery still safe and continuously help individuals to have a normal and healthier life like Dr. Myers did.
ReplyDelete