Prognosis

Both in the case of inflammation of the coccyx due to periosteitis and inflammation of the tissue due to pilonidal sinus, a long healing time of several weeks can be expected. The long-term success rates vary depending on the type of surgery, from almost 50% in the case of the closed operation with suturing of the wound to about 20% in the case of pit-pickin or only a few percent in the case of the operation after Karydakis. Envelopes, hip baths, alternating baths and, in the case of periostitis, massages can accelerate the healing process or alleviate pain during healing.

Unfortunately, in the case of periostitis, it is not uncommon for the patient to be completely pain-free, and even after surgery for pilonidal sinus, the inflammation can be expected to return if the cause, the hairiness, is not treated. With a coccyx fistula (Sinud pilonidalis) it takes about 4 weeks after the surgical removal of the hair until the wound has completely healed. If one spares oneself in this time, no further inflammation problems should occur afterwards, since the inflammatory stimulus (the hair) is removed.

If the periosteum is inflamed due to incorrect loading of the coccyx, the situation is different. If coccyx pain with a slight inflammation occurs after a fall, this pain usually lasts only a few days, provided that the patient spares himself in between. However, if the strain is too great or if the patient sits for long periods, the pain can last for weeks.

In the worst case, a chronic pain develops. This occurs mainly in patients who ignore the initial signs of inflammation and continue to do nothing to change their lifestyle (sitting on hard surfaces for too long). In general, it can be said that the duration depends mainly on the closed season.

Prophylaxis

Prophylactic measures to prevent overloading are most sensible. Stretching exercises can prevent overloading. Also the correct posture when sitting, in this case sitting very straight, can relieve the coccyx and thus prevent overloading.

Inflammation after a fracture or contusion of the coccyx can only be adequately prevented by taking it easy during the healing period, so that too early a strain does not additionally support the inflammation. Prophylaxis of coccyx fistula is also only possible to a limited extent.A causal treatment is only possible by permanent hair removal by laser treatment. Simple shaving is not sufficient for prevention here. If you have a tendency to coccyx fistula, you can prevent the ingrowth of hairs by increased body hygiene and avoiding long sitting. Nevertheless, even then in some cases ingrowth cannot be prevented.