Coccydynia

Chronic coccydynia is characterized by pain localized to the coccygeal region that typically worsens with sitting, leading to notable impairments in functional performance and health-related quality of life. In clinical practice, fluoroscopy-guided Ganglion Impar Block (GIB) is commonly performed as an interventional treatment in patients unresponsive to conservative medical therapies. Alexithymia, defined as a multidimensional personality construct involving difficulty identifying and describing feelings alongside an externally oriented thinking style, has been shown to be prevalent in chronic pain conditions and associated with pain intensity, mood symptoms, and functional disability. The primary objective of this prospective analytical cross-sectional study is to examine the relationship between alexithymia levels (evaluated via the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale \[TAS-20\]) and pain intensity, health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression, and childhood trauma in patients with chronic coccydynia who are scheduled to undergo Ganglion Impar Block based on routine clinical indications.

Coccydynia is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain in the coccygeal region, particularly exacerbated by sitting, and is associated with impaired quality of life and functional limitation. Although various conservative and interventional treatment options are available, there remains a need for effective and safe alternative therapies, especially in treatment-resistant cases. Prolotherapy is a regenerative treatment modality that aims to reduce pain and improve function by stimulating tissue repair, particularly in ligamentous structures. While there is increasing evidence supporting its effectiveness in mechanical musculoskeletal pain conditions, the literature regarding its use in coccydynia is limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of dextrose prolotherapy on pain severity and functional status in patients diagnosed with coccydynia. This study is designed as a prospective, single-arm, open-label interventional study. Patients will receive 15% dextrose prolotherapy according to a standardized protocol. Pain severity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional status will be evaluated using the Dallas Pain Questionnaire before treatment and at 1 month after completion of the treatment. This study aims to provide more comprehensive data on the effectiveness and safety of prolotherapy in coccydynia and to contribute to the currently limited evidence in the literature.

In this prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blinded study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Dextrose Prolotherapy injections in patients with coccydynia.

Radiofrequency ablation and phenol neurolysis of the ganglion impar are methods used in cases unresponsive to medication, particularly in patients who derive short-term or partial relief from the initial ganglion impar block. In clinical practice, clinicians frequently use these two injections in patients with treatment-resistant pain who only partially benefit from the initial blockade procedure. To date, the medical literature lacks a comprehensive study comparing the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation and phenol neurolysis in patients who partially benefit from ganglion impar block. Therefore, this study is designed to compare the effectiveness of these two methods in patients with chronic coccydynia.

The aim of this study is to evaluate feasibility, reliability and short term effectiveness of ganglion impar block with ultrasound in patients with chronic coccygodinia.

Coccygodynia is a condition that causes pain in the tailbone (coccyx) area. While it can develop after trauma, such as a fall or fracture, in some cases, no clear cause is identified. Patients who do not experience relief from standard treatments like pain medications, physical therapy, and posture adjustments may be referred to specialized pain management clinics for further treatment options. Several interventional procedures can help manage coccygodynia. These include impar ganglion block, radiofrequency ablation, caudal epidural steroid injections, sacral erector spinae plane (ESP) block, and coccygeal nerve blocks. These procedures are commonly performed in pain treatment centers and aim to reduce discomfort by targeting specific nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals. Impar ganglion block is one of the most frequently used treatments for coccygodynia. It involves injecting a local anesthetic, with or without steroids, into a small nerve cluster in front of the sacrococcygeal joint. This procedure is performed under ultrasound and/or fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance in a sterile operating room setting to ensure accuracy and safety. While the goal is to relieve pain, potential risks include temporary worsening of pain, bleeding, infection, or, in rare cases, rectal injury. Another interventional option is the sacral erector spinae plane (ESP) block, a technique that delivers local anesthetic under the erector spinae muscles in the sacrum. This procedure, also performed under ultrasound guidance in a sterile environment, is used to block pain signals from the coccyx and surrounding areas. Like the impar ganglion block, it can be effective for pain relief, but possible side effects include temporary pain increase, bleeding, and infection at the injection site. Both procedures are minimally invasive.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of sacral erector spinae plane block and caudal epidural injection in patients with coccydynia resistant to conservative treatments. Ultrasound guidance will be used for sacral erector spinae plane block, while fluoroscopic guidance will be applied for caudal epidural injection. The effectiveness of these treatments will be assessed through face-to-face questionnaires, the Numerical Rating Scale and the Paris Functional Coccydynia Scale at first, fourth and twelfth-week follow-ups.