Things You'll Need:
- A physician
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging: detailed medical pictures)
- A copy of the physician's orders for the MRI
- A copy of the official report by the radiologist who read the MRI
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Step 1
Web Search for Tailbone DoctorFirst, you need to see a physician because you typically will not be able to have an MRI without orders from a doctor.
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Step 2
You need the physician to agree that it would be worthwhile to order the MRI. Showing him or her my list of reasons above might help.
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Step 3
If your physician is ordering the MRI, make sure that his or her orders very clearly specify that the MRI is being ordered because of tailbone (coccyx) symptoms.
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Step 4
Before the doctor writes the orders, diplomatically remind him or her that you want to make sure that the MRI images will actually include the tailbone (coccyx).
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Step 5
Recognize that a "lumbosacral" MRI only includes the "lumbosacral" spine. This means that it includes the “lumbar” spine and the “sacrum”, but typically does NOT include the tailbone (coccyx)! Thus, if the doctor orders a "lumbosacral" MRI, it is very unlikely that there will be good imaging of the tailbone.
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Step 6
In my experience, the MRI usually needs to be ordered as a "sacrum-coccyx" MRI or as a "pelvic MRI with attention on the coccyx." Also, it helps if the orders will very specifically request including "sagittal images through the coccyx" since these are the special views most likely to reveal tailbone problems.
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Step 7
When you are at the MRI facility to have the test, remind the receptionist and the actual radiology technician that the MRI is for your coccyx. (Note: Most MRI centers perform “lumbosacral” MRI studies hundreds or thousands of times more commonly than MRI studies for the coccyx. Thus, unless you politely remind them, do not be surprised if they give you the more common type of MRI, even though it may not be the correct type of MRI for you and your tailbone.)
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Step 8
After the MRI is done, ask your doctor to give you a photocopy of the actual, official radiology report from the MRI. Ask your doctor to go over the official report with you.
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Step 9
Look at the report and see what type of MRI was done. (Did they do an MRI of the coccyx, or was it just a lumbosacral MRI without including the coccyx?)
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Step 10
Read the text within the MRI report and see if the radiologist specifically mentions the appearance of the tailbone (coccyx). If the radiologist does not specifically and explicitly mention the coccyx, then it is possible (and perhaps likely) that the radiologist may not have even looked at or seen the coccyx.
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Step 11
MRI of Tailbone, CoccyxIf you or your doctor have the actual MRI images, ask your doctor to point to your coccyx on the actual MRI images/films.
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Step 12
Consider going for a second opinion with a tailbone specialist, if your own doctor is not experienced at evaluating tailbone pain, or is not compassionate about your tailbone symptoms, or is unwilling/unable to order the proper tests, or seems uncomfortable interpreting the MRI results, or is not aware of non-surgical treatments to offer you. By searching on the Internet, you can probably find a physician who offers specialized care for patients with tailbone problems. Sometimes you may need to travel to reach such a specialist, but it may be worthwhile if you can get the answers, treatment and relief that you deserve.
