Coccydynia (tailbone or coccyx pain) is one of the most under-studied causes of back pain. This page brings together the numbers that are actually backed by published research, explains what they mean, and is honest about what is still unknown.
Key points
- Nobody knows exactly how many people have coccydynia. It is thought to make up only around 1% of people seen for spine pain, but it is often missed or recorded as "low back pain".
- Women are affected about five times as often as men.
- Half or more of patients remember an injury such as a fall. Childbirth accounts for a smaller but important share in women.
- Body weight matters at both ends: both a high and a very low body mass index (BMI) raise the risk.
- About 9 in 10 people improve without surgery.
The key figures at a glance
| Question | What research reports | Source |
|---|---|---|
| How common is it? | Exact incidence has not been reported; roughly 1% of people seen for musculoskeletal or spine pain | Lirette 2014; BMJ Best Practice |
| Women vs men | About 5 women for every man | Lirette 2014; Garg and Ahuja 2021 |
| Who gets it | Mostly adults and teenagers; uncommon in young children | Lirette 2014 |
| Remember an injury first | 50–65% of patients | Garg and Ahuja 2021 |
| Linked to childbirth | 7.3% of women's cases in one specialist clinic | Maigne 2012 |
| Abnormal coccyx movement when sitting | About 69% of patients on sitting and standing X-rays | Maigne 2000; Garg and Ahuja 2021 |
| Bony spur at the tip | About 14% of patients | Garg and Ahuja 2021 |
| Weight above which risk rises | BMI over 27.4 in women, over 29.4 in men | Garg and Ahuja 2021 |
| Better without surgery | About 90% | Lirette 2014; Garg and Ahuja 2021 |
Why the exact numbers are uncertain
Coccydynia rarely gets its own diagnosis code. In many records it is grouped with general low back pain, and many people never see a doctor about it, often out of embarrassment. That is why the reviews we rely on say plainly that its true incidence is unknown. Be wary of any website quoting a precise share of the population: we could not find a reliable source for such figures.
Who is more likely to get it?
- Women, partly because of the shape of the pelvis and because of childbirth. See why women get tailbone pain more often.
- People with a higher BMI, or who are very thin. See body weight and tailbone pain.
- People who sit for long hours or ride over rough roads. See two-wheelers and tailbone pain.
- People with some other conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis or pelvic floor problems. See conditions linked to tailbone pain.
High rates in particular groups
Some studies have looked at specific groups of people. Their figures are much higher than the general rate, because these groups are exposed to particular risks. They should not be read as rates for a whole country.
| Group studied | Share with tailbone pain | Where and when | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| People with ankylosing spondylitis | 38.3% (vs 18.4% of women and 8% of men with ordinary back pain) | Istanbul, Turkey, 2014; 107 patients | Deniz 2014 |
| Women seeking physiotherapy for pelvic pain | 49.6% | USA, 2022; 127 women | Neville 2022 |
| Male motorbike riders | 33.2% | Pakistan, 2025; 190 riders | Fatima 2025 |
| Long-term wheelchair users | 76% | South Punjab, Pakistan, 2024; 250 users | Sanobar 2024 |
We have not found a published study measuring coccydynia across the general population of India. The two Pakistani studies are the closest regional data, and their settings (long sitting, motorbike commuting) are very familiar in Indian cities.
How well does treatment work?
Most people get better with simple measures: a cut-out cushion, changes to how and how long they sit, and hands-on treatment of the coccyx and pelvic floor muscles. Injections are an option if pain persists, and surgery is kept for a small, carefully selected group. See coccydynia treatment, step by step.
Sources
- Lirette LS et al. Coccydynia: an overview of the anatomy, etiology, and treatment of coccyx pain. Ochsner J. 2014;14(1):84–87
- Garg B, Ahuja K. Coccydynia: a comprehensive review on etiology, radiological features and management options. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021;12(1):123–129
- Maigne JY et al. Causes and mechanisms of common coccydynia: role of body mass index and coccygeal trauma. Spine. 2000;25(23):3072–3079
- Maigne JY et al. Postpartum coccydynia: a case series study of 57 women. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2012;48(3):387–392
- Deniz R et al. Ankylosing spondylitis and a diagnostic dilemma: coccydynia. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2014;32(2):194–198
- Neville CE et al. Association of coccygodynia with pelvic floor symptoms in women with pelvic pain. PM&R. 2022;14(11):1351–1359
- Fatima S et al. Prevalence and risk factors of coccydynia among bike riders. J Health Wellness Community Res. 2025
- Sanobar G et al. Prevalence of coccydynia among wheelchair users due to prolonged sitting. J Health Rehabil Res. 2024
- BMJ Best Practice: Coccydynia, epidemiology
