Saddle/ coccydynia

[teamceri]

I all

Hope this post doesn't appear twice. I have just been diagnosed with coccydynia and told to stay off bike until the inflammation is gone, this I imagine to be when the pain is gone. The doc said to either and or get a new saddle or adjust the one I have. I have no clue where to start so didn't know if anyone here had same problem or any advice to offer.

Tina

[teamceri]

Hi thanks for your reply. I ride a carbon race bike a tourer and a hard tail mountain bike. Have had the race bike four years the tourer for two and the mountain bike one year. Have been using the same saddles all of this time and cycle gear padded shorts etc. After a recent lay off bike for two months started back again three weeks ago 23 miles two days off another 23 miles was in total agony. Hurts like no tomorrow getting up from sitting position and sitting down again. Never experienced anything like it before. I have been dieting and lost 14 pound. Saw my doctor today who did gave me the diagnosis of the coccyx condition. She seems to think I need new saddle or need to adjust because of weight loss. The pain i really low down near butt that hard bone you can feel there. I have to lay off bike until it is better and use inflammatory gel in the meantime. I have been looking a the terry falcon x saddle but don't know if there is a stockist in the UK. It says this saddle has a cut our for people with coccyx problems. Any other help and advice anyone can give would appreciate and I do not want to give up my bikes.

[Thorn]

Check out the threads on measuring sit bones and saddle width. Pain in the coccyx area can be caused by the saddle being too narrow for your sit bones.

When I road a saddle that was too narrow, I'd be OK until I got off the bike. Then, the pain in the coccyx area was present.

[malkin]

Oh...OW.

While you are waiting to feel better you'll have some time to read all the saddle threads...

Wishing you the very best!

[KnottedYet]

Saddle is one or more of the following:
too narrow at the sits
too domed over the top
too padded
too pear shaped and forcing you forward onto a narrower part.

It's all about causing pressure and tensile stress to the sacrotuberous ligament, and also to a lesser extent the other ligaments, that anchor on or near the coccyx.

I work in both a pelvic pain/continence program and do bike fits. There are PTs out there who have training in both, and have a strong interest in saddles and saddle fit. If you can find one to work with, before you go buying any new saddles or new shorts, that would be the best way to go. Your insurance should pay for a saddle fit or bike fit from a PT as part of your treatment.
(BTW, the complete opposite of all the above is a Brooks B67 or B68 [men's, not "Short"] saddle)

[teamceri]

Wow lots if information here thank you all so much. My saddle on my race bike and my mountain bike are Bontrager Sport Fit CRZ+ Saddle - Womens. My touring bike which is Claude Butler which came with the bike. I think I will rest up and read all the info and anymore here that anyone wishes to add and then do a complete new bike fit before buying a new saddle or anything else. I live in UK so no help with health insurance here or from the NHS as they are strapped for cash. The bike shops here are all run by men who have no idea what so ever about ladies bike fits so will have to do it myself. But thanks once again for all info and please feel free to add anything else.
Thanks

[teamceri]

Hi Muireen

Thank you for all the work you have put in searching for things for me. Yes it is the saddle I have apart from the one on my touring bike which is a different brand but looks the same.

I am going to attempt to measure my sit bones as a starting point I have looked at the various ways to do this and not sure which way I shall go with yet so any advice on this would be great.

You have all been so helpful I am so thankful to you all.

Tina

[teamceri]

Hi all

You have been all great with your help and advice pointing me in the direction with links and really big thank you.

I have read and read and read more. I have decided to get a Selle SMP TRK saddle, I hope I am going in the right direction with that. My LBS was not able to sorce it for me so I ordered it online which they suggested. They then told me when it arrives and I a allowed back on the bike to bring myself the saddle and my bike and they will do a bike fit for me for FREE!! They havent got loads of tec gear for measuring but I have nothing to loose at least they are going to have a go for me. I thought that was just great of them even though I am not sure about their knowledge of girlie bits but if they can learn from me they might be able to help another damsel in distress. If the saddle is suitable I will get it for my other two bikes as well if not will look again at another one. I have decided once I am fit to cycle again I am going to take it easy and pretend I am just starting out on my first bike.
Will keep you all updated.

[Leesann]

Sorry to hear you are having so much pain. I have a lot of problems with my coccyx as well. Now I ride with a Specialized Dolce saddle. It has a nice cut out, so there is no pressure on my coccyx at all. Otherwise, I would not be able to ride.

Follow your Dr's advice, and allow yourself to heal from this. Don't be tempted to get out and ride until its better. This kind of pain is known to be hard to cure, especially once its well 'set in' and extremely difficult to find the cause and treat it. There are a lot of variables in place. I note that you are in the UK, if you are near London there is a great specialist that I can refer to you if you are interested.

Rest up and feel better!

Lisa