Unpleasant and pulling pain in the spine, where the coccyx is located, may indicate the development of disorders. Timely diagnosis will prevent the development of many pathologies. To identify the problem, the doctor gives a referral to the x-ray of the coccyx (preparation for the study should be discussed with the doctor). Based on the results of the study, the specialist diagnoses and prescribes therapy.
Features of the procedure
Before you go to the study, it is important to properly prepare and remember all the recommendations of the doctor. Under what circumstances is coccyx research necessary? In frequent cases, an x-ray must be done after an injury and hospitalization. In some cases, a person goes to the hospital to examine the tailbone. In such circumstances, the doctor prescribes an x-ray. If this diagnostic method turned out to be uninformative, then examine the patient using a complex and accurate MRI procedure.
A specialist sends a person for examination if:
- The patient was injured and feels unpleasant pain for more than 3 days.
- Soreness appeared spontaneously (for no clear reason). Not accompanied by trauma or infectious disease.
- After a back injury, the patient experiences severe pain during movement.
- There is a suspicion of compression of the lumbar nerve node or blood vessels.
- In order to diagnose paraproctitis.
- The doctor prescribes this test method if there is a suspicion of tumor development.
- If it is impossible to implement another diagnostic method.
- After coccygeal therapy to assess the effectiveness of treatment.
Before making a diagnosis, it is important to consult a doctor.
Proper preparation
To get the most accurate information after the study, it is important to prepare correctly for the diagnosis. X-ray of the coccyx is a procedure that, in frequent cases, does not require special preparation. It is enough to prepare according to the generally accepted rule of elementary hygiene. Only if an intestinal disease or fistulous passages of paraproctitis are diagnosed, a cleansing enema is necessary.
Recommended Products
The day before the diagnosis, it is necessary to exclude carbonated drinks and dairy dishes from your diet, since such products provoke bloating and fermentation in the intestines. Excessive gas formation may prevent the doctor from carefully examining the image, since other organs may overlap the image. It is better to exclude fresh pastries, sauces, seasonings, cabbage, carrots, buckwheat porridge. If you do not follow all the doctor's recommendations, you will get a poor-quality x-ray. Therefore, the doctor will not be able to consider pathological processes on the x-ray of the coccyx (preparation for the study should be discussed with the attending physician).
Allowed Products
It is recommended to eat rice, baked potatoes, zucchini, low-fat fish, white meat. People who suffer from increased gas formation should drink drugs before the procedure that will help eliminate bloating. Namely, Espumisan.
Diagnostics
In order not to distort the results of the study, it is important to remove all iron objects from yourself and leave the phone at home. To make a diagnosis, the patient lays on the table. After that, a picture is taken in the necessary projections. Radiography is carried out in 2 types:
- Direct projection. In this case, the patient assumes a supine position, and the legs are slightly bent at the knees. If the tailbone is damaged, then lying on his back, the patient does not bend the legs. Hands should be extended along the body.
- Side projection. During the procedure, the patient must lie on his side and put his hands behind his neck. Bend your legs and gently press them to your stomach.
To make the patient comfortable, specialists sometimes use rollers in the process of x-ray of the coccyx (preparation for the study is previously discussed with the doctor). As medical practice shows, most often an x-ray of the coccyx is carried out in two projections. If necessary, their number increases.
What will the study show?
With the help of diagnostic measures, a serious pathology can be identified. These diseases include:
- vertebral displacement;
- cystic neoplasm;
- injury;
- tumor;
- bone deformation;
- abscess;
- developmental abnormalities;
- dislocation of the sacrum.
Not in all cases, X-ray of the sacrum and tailbone allows assessing the state of the tissue. Preparation for other research methods is most often not excluded. Often the patient is prescribed an MRI. This will clarify the diagnosis.
Note to patient
At the end of the study, the picture must be taken to a doctor who will analyze the current situation, evaluate the anatomical structure and identify the pathological process. Based on the result of the study, he gives his conclusion. Based on the prevailing clinical picture, the specialist prescribes a comprehensive treatment and voices rehabilitation methods that will help the patient restore his health in the shortest possible time. Depending on the severity of the disease, additional research may be needed. Preparation for coccyx x-ray should be discussed with your doctor.
Under what circumstances should you not do an x-ray?
This method of radiation research of the coccyx is prohibited for women during the period of bearing the baby and persons under 14 years of age. If neoplasm is suspected, adolescents need an MRI scan. Overweight patients are not given x-rays because the image is fuzzy. Many people know how to do x-rays of the coccyx, but not everyone knows that there are contraindications to the procedure. It is not recommended to carry out independent diagnostics in private clinics without a doctor's prescription, since this can harm the patient’s general state of health.
Causes of coccyx pain
Quite often, pain occurs in the elderly after an injury to the tailbone. An x-ray of the sacrum and tailbone will allow the doctor to determine the presence or absence of damage, since it is not always possible to avoid injuries during the fall. In women, during the period of bearing the baby and during labor, an incredible load is placed on the back. The coccyx is restored a few months later. Among the main causes of pain in the coccyx are:
- fracture with displacement of the bone;
- fracture without displacement;
- dislocation in the sacrococcygeal junction;
- crack;
- cartilage rupture;
- severe bruise;
- when the tailbone came off.
If one of the unpleasant symptoms of pathology appears, you must consult a doctor and carry out a medical examination. Based on the prevailing clinical picture, the doctor prescribes an individual course of treatment. Before an x-ray of the tailbone, you should consult your doctor.
Treatment methods
Doctors do not recommend treatment at home on their own, as this can be harmful. At home, it is impossible to diagnose and identify a disease that caused discomfort in the sacrum. Before using any drug, it is important to consult a doctor and take an x-ray of the coccyx (preparation for the study is important to discuss with the doctor). Among the most effective drugs that will help relieve inflammation and soreness, there are:
- Vishnevsky ointment. This medication will help reduce pain and eliminate the inflammatory process. It is necessary to apply the ointment to the tissue and apply to the site of pain localization. It is advisable to cover with cling film and wrap with a warm stole. It is better to use such a remedy at night. In the morning, unpleasant sensations will be eliminated and overall health will improve.
- Honey ointment. This effective ointment will eliminate pain in the shortest possible time. To prepare it, you need to combine honey and vinegar in a ratio of 2/1. Mix thoroughly until smooth and apply to damaged areas. The duration of treatment is a week.
- We use the mummy. Mumiye extract must be combined with vegetable oil or animal. Mix thoroughly and apply to the affected area. Thanks to this tool, pain is removed.
- Comfrey broth. Healing decoction will help to eliminate the pain. To prepare it, you need to combine comfrey infusion and beeswax. Stir until smooth. The mixture should be thick. This mixture must be used several times a day. To achieve maximum effect, it is necessary to fasten with a bandage to damaged areas.
Before using any alternative method of treatment, it is important to consult a doctor, since self-medication can do much harm. First of all, it is necessary to diagnose and identify the pathology that provokes the occurrence of pain. To mask unpleasant symptoms is not enough to eliminate the pain forever. It is important to consult a doctor before performing a tailbone x-ray. How to prepare for an x-ray? This interests many, but not everyone knows that only the attending physician can give useful recommendations.