Assessment of Ganglion Impar Block Effect on Treatment Results of Coccydynia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The ganglion impar block is a minimally invasive technique used for alleviating pain associated with coccydynia. Objectives: This research evaluates the effectiveness of the ganglion impar block in treating patients with coccydynia who have not benefited from conservative treatments. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis reviewed the clinical records of coccydynia patients who received ganglion impar block injections at Urmia Imam Khomeini Hospital, Urmia, Iran, between 2020 and 2022. Data regarding age, gender, body mass index (BMI), onset of pain, and levels of patient satisfaction post-treatment were gathered from the medical records. Results: The study comprised 26 patients, with 4 (15.4%) being male and 22 (84.6%) female. The average age and BMI were 39.15 ± 14.24 years and 28.91 ± 2.14 kg/m2, respectively, which did not show significant variation (P = 0.19). The average Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score before the ganglion impar block was 6.23 ± 2.35, which reduced to 4.47 ± 2.41 immediately after the procedure. At the 1-month follow-up, the average VAS score had further decreased to 3.47 ± 0.79. The decrease in VAS scores, both immediately after the procedure and at the 1-month follow-up, was statistically significant. The success rate of the block (defined as a reduction in pain of at least 20% from the baseline) was significantly high immediately and one-month post-procedure (P < 0.001). Out of the 26 patients treated with the impar block, satisfaction rates were 42.3% excellent, 27% good, 19.2% fair, and 11.5% poor. Conclusions: The study endorses the trans-sacro-coccygeal “needle inside needle” method for providing relief to patients suffering from coccydynia. The findings revealed significant patient satisfaction, with the majority describing their experience as excellent.