What causes distension and pain in the coccyx area?
Disease description:
On a snowy day, I slipped and fell while walking on the road, and since then I have been experiencing swelling and pain in the coccyx area. What could be causing this?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Coccygeal distension pain, known as coccydynia or sacrococcygeal pain, is mainly characterized by discomfort, pain, or a sensation of fullness in the coccygeal region. This symptom may be caused by several factors:
1. Trauma: A direct impact or fall onto the coccygeal area is one of the most common causes, such as when slipping and landing on the buttocks.
2. Prolonged sitting: Sitting for long periods on hard chairs or in improper postures, especially in women, due to anatomical differences, may increase pressure on the coccyx, leading to pain.
3. Poor posture: Maintaining a bent-forward position or improper sitting posture for extended periods, especially without adequate support, can increase pressure on the coccygeal region, resulting in a feeling of distension and pain.
4. Soft tissue injury: Trauma to the coccygeal area may cause soft tissue damage, presenting as local swelling and pain.
5. Inflammation or infection: Inflammation or infection of tissues surrounding the coccyx may also cause pain, such as pilonidal cysts or inflammation of fat around the coccyx.
6. Gynecological conditions: Pelvic disorders in women, such as endometriosis and ovarian cysts, as well as prostate problems in men, may sometimes refer pain to the sacrococcygeal region, causing coccygeal swelling and pain.
