The symptoms of “tailbone” pain (sacral-coccygeal pain) can be caused by sacral or pudendal neuropathy. This is inflammation of the S2-4 nerves which also control the bladder. Night pain could also be related to neuropathy. You might have pain only from neuropathy or from a combination of neuropathy and compressive radiculopathy.
Neuropathy is dysfunction of the nerves from a non-compressive problem (“sickness of the nerves”). Compressive radiculopathy is nerve pain and dysfunction from typical compression that can occur in the spine. Compression may originate from a herniated disc, a bone spur or from mal-alignment of the spine.
Night pain is typical of neuropathy. If “not much relieves it” referring to your pain, then the pain is not likely mechanical in origin. Consideration should be given to a consultation with a neurologist who specializes in neuropathic pain, especially sacral or pudendal neuropathy.
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
