Coccyxodynia and treatment options

Dear Ask The Doctor: Coccyxodynia,diagnosed 7 months ago.since then theres been manipulation,facet shots,ganglion block shots and pain gets worse after each shot.what is my next best course of treatment?do i need surgery?

Dear Chuck: The Coccyx pain (tailbone pain) can be very frustrating and also can affect your quality of life, but relief is possible. The coccyx serves as somewhat of a weight-bearing structure when a person is seated and bears more weight when the seated person is leaning backward; therefore, many persons with coccyx pain sit leaning forward. The conservative treatment includes: Myofascial release techniques and local pain control modalities (TENS, local heat, anti-inflammatory medications) applied in the Physical therapy sessions settings. Injection with corticosteroids may be helpful in cases of focal inflammation at the sacrococcygeal joint (ex.: after local trauma and perhaps with degenerative changes at this site). The healing time is different for each particular patient. The further need or not of surgery must be determine by your orthopedic surgeon and discussed with you in the view that during these 7 months the conservative measures have proven not efectiveness on your pain control.