Driving After Coccygectomy Surgery (Coccyx Excision)

Prior to having my coccyx removed, one of the things I stressed about most was whether I’d be able to drive shortly after the surgery. In my case, it was about 3 weeks into my recovery that I was able to drive short distances. It has now been about 5 weeks following my coccyx excision and I’m able to drive 45 minutes in a day. I’ve found that the amount of time you can drive is directly related to how long you can sit at a desk. I can’t drive 45 minutes every single day, as I do pay a price a couple of days after the activity: increased pain levels. In my case, the wound is still open, so I have to sit in a way that relieves pressure from the wound. I use my coccyx cushion and lean over to one side to relieve the pressure.

The most important consideration in deciding whether or not you should be driving is how much pain medication you’re taking. For the first few weeks after the surgery, I was on fairly high dosages of morphine and percocet; I certainly wouldn’t be driving after taking this medication.

So, I’m happy to say that if you can sit in a chair, you can drive, but you should certainly consult with your doctor to see if you should be driving.

If you’re considering having your tailbone removed, or if you’ve had the surgery, drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you.

It is important to consult with your surgeon to determine if you should be driving following a coccygectomy.