Nameer Haider, M.D., DABPM, Medical Director:SPINAL & SKELETAL PAIN MEDICINE, Utica, NY, USA and Rao Ali, MD, Montefiore Medical Center, NY, Bronx, NY, USA.
A 41-year-old woman presented with 3-year history of severe coccyx bone pain and sacrococcygeal ligament instability secondary to prolonged bed immobilization , status post multiple surgeries including hysterectomy, bowel resection, and open heart surgery. Pt was placed on a ventilator and remained in a coma for about a month prior to coccyx pain . The patient had been seen by multiple pain practitioners, physiatrist, gynecologist, psychiatrist and has tried pain relieving modalities, NSAID's, muscle relaxants, narcotics, anti- depressants and lidoderm patches without any significant relief. Pt recieved Caudal Epidural injections, multiple Ganglion Impar Blocks with and without radiofrequency lesioning( Inter-Coccygeal as well as Sacrococcygeal blocks), SI joint injection with only temporary pain relief. Eventually a trial of Spinal Cord Stimulation was performed. The numeric pain intensity was 9-10/10 on verbal analogue scale prior to stimulator implantation. One week after procedure, the pain was reduced to 5-6/10 and after few weeks it was completely resolved. The patient went to have permanent stimulation. Pt is following up on regular basis and since permanent implantation of Spinal Cord Stimulator, she had no complaint of coccyx pain. Furthur investigation is needed to determine the efficacy of spinal cord stimulation in Coccydynia.
Key Words: Case Report; Coccydynia; Spinal Cord Stimulation; Rehabilitation
References: 1. Hodges SD, Eck JC, Humphreys SC. A treatment and outcomes analysis of patients with coccydynia. Spine J. 2004 Mar-Apr;4(2):138-40
2. De Andres J, Chaves S. Coccygodynia: a proposal for an algorithm for treatment. J Pain. 2003 Jun;4(5):257-66. Review.
3. Ryder I, Alexander J. Coccydynia: a woman's tail. Midwifery. 2000 Jun;16(2):155-60. Review.
Funding: none
Nameer Haider, M.D., DABPM
Nothing to disclose.