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MAIN CAUSES OF COCCYGODYNIA IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: THE IMPACT OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PAIN SYNDROME
- Authors: Trofimova S.I.1, Sapogovskiy A.V.2, Agranovich O.Е.1, Petrova E.V.2
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Affiliations:
- H. Turner National Medical Research Center for Сhildren’s Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery
- H. Turner National Medical Research Center for Children’s Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery
- Section: Clinical studies
- Submitted: 02.06.2025
- Accepted: 06.08.2025
- Published: 24.09.2025
- URL: https://journals.eco-vector.com/turner/article/view/681968
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/PTORS681968
- ID: 681968
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Abstract
Background: Coccygodynia, characterized by intense and persistent pain in the coccyx region, often presents difficulties in diagnosis and treatment, given its low prevalence and diverse etiology in children and adolescents.
Aim. Analysis of the reasons of coccygodynia in nonathlete children and adolescents and who participated in sports.
Methods. Outpatient medical records of 906 patients with complaints of coccygeal pain treated at the consultative and diagnostic department between 2010 and 2025 were analyzed. Anamnesis, physical examination and radiographic data were reviewed.
Results. The study included children and adolescents aged 9 to 18 years, with girls outnumbering boys by 5.5 times. Most of the children were nonathlete. Traumatic coccygodynia was found in 37% of patients. Most of them were injured by falling on their buttocks at school or on the street. Among patients with traumatic coccygodynia, children who participated in sports were only 5%. In the other patients, the reasons of coccygodynia was dynamic instability of the coccyx, retroversion of the coccyx, coccygeal spicule, weight loss and idiopathic. In patients who participated in sports, in more than half of the cases (64%) the reasons of coccygodynia was dynamic instability of the coccyx, which occurs with chronic static or dynamic overuse of the coccyx during training.
Conclusion. The most common reasons of coccygodynia in children and adolescents are traumatic and idiopathic. Coccyx injuries during sports training occurred 2 times less often than domestic trauma. For children athletes, repeated excessive loads, which were experienced by patients involved in equestrian sports, cycling, choreography and ballet, proved to be unsafe in terms of developing dynamic instability of the coccyx. Prevention of coccygodynia development in children involved in sports can be based on the correct technique for performing exercises, gradually increasing the load and using protective equipment.
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About the authors
Svetlana I. Trofimova
H. Turner National Medical Research Center for Сhildren’s Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery
Author for correspondence.
Email: trofimova_sv@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2690-7842
SPIN-code: 5833-6770
MD, PhD, Cand. Sci. (Med.)
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgAndrey V. Sapogovskiy
H. Turner National Medical Research Center for Children’s Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery
Email: sapogovskiy@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5762-4477
SPIN-code: 2068-2102
Scopus Author ID: 57193257532
MD, PhD, Cand. Sci. (Med.)
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgOlga Е. Agranovich
H. Turner National Medical Research Center for Сhildren’s Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery
Email: olga_agranovich@yahoo.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6655-4108
SPIN-code: 4393-3694
MD, PhD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine)
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgEkaterina V. Petrova
H. Turner National Medical Research Center for Children’s Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery
Email: pet_kitten@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1596-3358
SPIN-code: 2492-1260
Scopus Author ID: 57194563255
MD, PhD, Cand. Sci. (Med.)
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgReferences
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