Tailbone removal

https://www.stmarkshospital.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/smh-patient-leaflets-cancer-surgery-for-men.pdf

Hi Scottyborn

I have included a link to an NHS leaflet about coccyx removal but I am going to tag in Ewok as they will be able to give you more information.

Hope the antibiotics are working and will hopefully reduce the pain for you . I am a bit surprised they never mentioned it. 

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Scottyborn sorry you’re having a rough time. I had my surgery October 2018 and it was pretty complex and included the removal of my coccyx. I have had issues with sitting but more so walking. However I have no symptoms re skin so I really can’t compare. It must be very rare though and maybe you should seek a second opinion. I hope you get some relief soon. Happy to try to answer your questions though. Good look. 

Hey Court,

Thanks for the info. Also surprised I only found out recently. Never saw a physiotherapist in hospital or since . The district/practice nurses who have been treating me did not know either. They assumed if my skin issues were sorted that I would be able to sit without pain. If we had known at least the sitting issue would have made more sense.

Hi Ewok, I have no difficulty walking but sitting has been awful . Going in the car to appointments was particularly bad on potholes and speed bumps, but not as bad now. However sitting in seats and even lying on my back is not great. The article Court sent mentioned physiotherapy ,did you have any?

At the moment I am on antibiotics for the infected bone and then I have another appointment with my surgeon. But I did read somewhere that coccyx removal operations had a higher risk of permanent long term effects

Thanks for the reply,Scottyborn

Hi Scottyborn i only picked up on the coccyx removal as I was being discharged as it was on my discharge statement so they don’t seem to dwell on the intricacies of the surgery but it was important to me and someone should have fed back.  Anyway, I had a visit from the OT dept and then when I said I wanted out on the 8th day, the physio department turned up to check I was fit to leave. That’s the only time I was seen and after such complex surgery it was a bit strange. It’s also amazing that any blood tests you will have had didn’t raise concern earlier re your infection? I hope that answers your question. 

Hi Scottyborn

Do you have a special cushion for sitting ? 
Court 

Oh ,yes I do have an inflatable cushion, diistrict nurses got me  one. Also had blow up mattress topper but too hot in this weather,bought a foam egg box one. They do help a bit.

Hi Ewok

I never got my discharge statement. They were too busy and let me go without it and said they would post it to me. Never came but in the middle of Covid so I didn’t pester them for it.Never saw a physio before I was discharged or since. I did have blood tests  but they were ordered by the cancer specialist. The surgeon ordered a blood test when I last saw him but results were fine. The bone infection was picked up by the radiologist in my CT scan so my doctor told me. The practice nurses thought it might have been there for some time and be causing the leak which is preventing my skin from healing.

I thought the thing that would be really hard to cope with would be the stoma but it has been a lot easier to deal with than the skin and sitting problems.

Thanks again,Scottyborn

Hi Ewok,

I should have asked. How are you now? Have your problems improved or do you still have walking issues?

Going back to the surgeon on Tuesday so will see what he says.

Bye,Scottyborn 

Hi Scottyborn. As good as it gets. If I was happy to potter around in my carpet slippers id be on cloud 9.  No hills for me yet but arthritis might preclude that one. Keep in touch.