TL;DR Quick answer
An injection to relieve tailbone and perineal pain. It is commonly used for tailbone pain. The procedure takes about about 15 minutes and is day care. Suitability is decided after a specialist assessment.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala — Consultant Pain Physician View full profile →
About Ganglion Impar Block
The ganglion impar is a small nerve cluster in front of the tailbone. Blocking it can relieve coccydynia (tailbone pain) and some pelvic and perineal pain.
| Key facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | About 15 minutes |
| Anaesthesia | Local |
| Guidance | X-ray (fluoroscopy) |
| Hospital stay | Day care, home the same day |
| Commonly used for | Tailbone Pain |
| Who to see | Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala, Consultant Pain Physician |
Benefits
- No surgical incision
- Day-care procedure: home the same day
- Precise, image-guided placement
- Can be combined with rehabilitation
Before the procedure
Tell the clinic if you take blood thinners, have diabetes, an infection, or could be pregnant. You will receive specific instructions, including whether to fast and whether someone should take you home.
During the procedure
You lie on your front. Under X-ray guidance, a fine needle is placed near the tailbone and the medicine injected. It takes about 15 minutes.
After the procedure
You rest for a short time before going home, usually the same day. Mild soreness at the injection site for a day or two is common. Follow-up checks how much the procedure helped.
Risks and safety
Temporary soreness and, rarely, infection or bleeding. The doctor discusses the benefits and risks for you before you consent.
Myths and facts
Myth Injections near the spine or nerves are very painful.
Fact The skin is numbed first. Most people feel pressure and brief discomfort.
Myth One injection fixes the problem for good.
Fact The effect varies. Some people need a repeat procedure, and most benefit from exercise and follow-up as well.
| Condition | What it is | Typical symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Tailbone Pain | Pain at the base of the spine (coccydynia), worse when sitting. | Pain at the tailbone; worse when sitting or rising from sitting |
This page is for general information. Whether a treatment is suitable for you is decided after an individual consultation.