Coccygectomy/Broken Tailbone Surgery in Paramus, NJ

A coccygectomy involves the removal of the coccyx or tailbone, which is located at the bottom of the spine. This procedure is recommended for people experiencing chronic pain in the coccyx region due to an injury, infection, or degenerative joint disease. Coccygectomy is a complex procedure that requires a high skill level and years of experience.

Therefore, it’s crucial to consult a qualified spine specialist in Paramus, NJ who has extensive experience in performing this surgery. Our skilled orthopedic specialists at NJ Spine & Orthopedic can help you through every step of your broken tail bone surgery in Paramus and make sure you get the treatment you need.

Preoperative Preparation for Coccygectomy Surgery

Preoperative preparation for broken tailbone surgery, which includes patient evaluation, diagnostic tests and imaging, cancer screening, and pre-surgery instructions, is crucial to optimize the surgical outcome. During a patient’s evaluation, the surgeon will study a patient’s medical history, current medications, any pre-existing medical conditions, and the duration or intensity of pain in the tailbone region.

Symptoms of coccydynia are also analyzed and may include the following:

• Pain and tenderness in the tailbone area, ranging from mild to severe, and felt when sitting, standing, or moving
• Inflammation and bruising in the tailbone area, particularly if the fracture is severe
• Painful bowel movement, common due to the pressure on the coccyx region
• Pain during sexual intercourse, which can be painful due to the pressure on the tailbone
• A numbness or tingling sensation that may be felt from the bottom of the spine down to the legs

The doctor can utilize an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI to rule out cancer or other underlying causes as the source of pain. Preoperative instructions may include fasting several hours before the surgery and stopping certain medications, such as blood thinners. Smokers are also instructed to quit before the operation to reduce the risk of complications.

What Happens During a Broken Tailbone Surgery in Paramus?

Surgery for a broken tailbone or a coccyx fracture is typically done under general anesthesia. A Paramus Coccygectomy surgeon makes an incision near the base of the spine to access the coccyx bone. They carefully remove the coccyx bone, being mindful not to damage nearby nerves. The surgeon may need to excise a small part of the coccyx bone or the entire tailbone depending on each individual’s specific circumstances.

Once the broken coccyx is removed, the surgeon will inspect the surgery site to ensure no damage to surrounding structures. After surgery, the patient will be closely monitored for several hours, and pain medication can be administered to manage any post-surgery discomfort. 

Complications of Coccygectomy

Surgery for a broken tailbone is a relatively straightforward procedure that spine specialists employ to relieve pain or other symptoms of this type of injury. Coccygectomy may have some potential complications, as with any surgical procedure, including:

• Risk of infection at the incision site or in the surrounding tissues
• Excessive bleeding during the surgery, which may require transfusions to control
• Nerve damage during surgery can occur, since the coccyx is located near several nerves, resulting in pain, numbness, or other complications.
• Damage to the nerves that control bowel or bladder function, leading to incontinence issues. 
• Difficulty sitting or standing after the surgery until the wound is more healed
• Deep-vein thrombosis

Recovery following coccygectomy surgery involves a combination of antibiotics, pain medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications. Pain medication is prescribed to alleviate post-surgery pain and discomfort. Joining a physical therapy program is also highly recommended to help patients improve their range of motion and strengthen muscles in the tailbone region. 

Lifestyle changes, like avoiding prolonged sitting and using a cushion to relieve pressure on the tailbone, can promote healing. A fractured tailbone can take 6-12 weeks to heal, with pain and the risk of undue pressure on the coccyx being the limiting factors.

Consult Skilled Paramus Coccygectomy Specialists at NJ Spine & Orthopedic  Today

While rare, a broken tailbone is a painful injury common among athletes, even though it can also affect people of all ages. The goal of coccygectomy surgery is to relieve pain, and a follow-up assesses clinical functioning to hinder further damage to the tailbone. Consult our skilled and compassionate spine specialists at NJ Spine & Orthopedic for proper evaluation and personalized treatment options. Our Concierge Team can help you organize every aspect of your treatment plan as well to ensure smooth treatment and recovery. 

Thanks to a collaborative team of experienced and skilled physicians, we can provide comprehensive care and support to help our patients achieve improved physical functioning. For more information about tailbone surgery or any of our other various treatment options, call us at (866) 553-0612 or submit our online contact form to schedule a Paramus broken tail bone surgery appointment.