I first noticed a deep bruising pain when sitting in March 2019. I couldn’t understand how one day I was fine, and the next riddled with this pain. I also noticed changes in my bowel movements and the pain was severe at night meaning sleepless nights. I tried to talk to the GP about the pain around the area and changes in bowel, and naturally they wanted to check out gastrointestinal and gynaecological issues, but none of which explained why I could not sit without severe pain. I started to feel disheartened, maybe even silly for pursuing this issue and the only answer as the months went on was to use a Coccyx cushion to relieve the pain, yes, even on a night out! Finding no answers with the doctor, I turned to a reputable osteopath. My osteopath checked along my spine and into the coccyx region lying on my side, and sounded surprised by what she felt. Telling me it didn’t feel normal. I had treatment at the osteopath, which helped some of the discomfort, but as it seemed to be very mobile and sitting in the wrong place, we both agreed it would need a doctor to take a look.

As I felt I was getting nowhere with the GP, I booked in to see Joanna Longstaff a private GP at the Spire Bristol. I must have cried for half the session, I felt almost at my wits end with the anxiety of not sleeping and this ongoing pain. Dr Longstaff was very good and explained to me there was a Surgeon at the Spire who specialised in the coccyx, and if he thought it was a coccyx issue he would be the best person.

I met with Mr Hardy in the September, and with a simple examination, and a follow up MRI and a sit stand x-ray confirmed that my coccyx was angulated in at 90 degrees, an old fracture was evident as well as part of the coccyx fused to the sacrum. It sounds strange now, but I felt so happy that this was real and I wasn’t imagining it! He asked me to think when I had ever fallen hard on my bottom... and there it was! 15 years prior I had fallen down stairs. Mr Hardy explained how an old injury could cause coccydynia and it all came together as to what had happened. Mr Hardy gave me the time and information I needed to understand what was wrong, and what could be done. A partial coccygectomy seemed the best solution and I was in no doubt the thing had to come out! I was told about the coccyx support group on Facebook made up of people from around the globe suffering with coccyx issues and in turn the Coccyx Surgery group. The people on the groups were fantastic. They told me of the success stories and of those with less favourable outcomes, but Mr Hardy’s record spoke for itself, and with the support of the Facebook group and my family... onwards and out it would be!

The operation meant an overnight stay and I have to say it was extremely comfortable considering the procedure. I was surprised by how small the dressing was, and even more so by the neat incision and stitches. True to Mr Hardy’s explanation of what would happen, I went through each phase of recovery with a 1 week stitch removal and instructions for exercises and wound care for the following weeks and then a 6 week check up. At my 6 weeks check up I had managed the exercises he had given, and was ready to sit! I was nervous at this point... but oh my goodness...No pain!

I am pleased to say I am 6 months post operative, feeling no pain when sitting, not even a niggle. In fact from time to time you can catch me smiling when I sit for a meeting or lounge on the sofa. Life is as it was before the coccyx went rogue. I feel so grateful to have met Mr Hardy. A truly skilled surgeon, but even more appealing to me, one that genuinely gives the time and support to his patients with confidence and care. I cannot speak highly enough of the care and treatment I have received from him. A.S. 29/07/2020

"The bottom line? He was great and he knew his stuff. He was professional and friendly and not at all patronising or dismissive. He did thorough investigations, ordered the medical images he needed, spotted the exact problems and performed a skilful coccygectomy - because it was the correct thing to do, not because “it might make me feel better even though there’s nothing really wrong with your coccyx”. He really loves to help his patients, and that really shows. I’m a happy and satisfied patient. I chose my surgeon wisely and my coccygectomy has been totally successful. What I’m not happy about is that I wasn’t able to identify Mr. Hardy as being the right person to help me years earlier. So, I bugged him about this and asked why he seemed to be keeping his coccyx skills a secret. It wasn’t on purpose, he didn’t even realise his website didn’t mention it on the main page. So, Mr. Hardy is a super surgeon. However, credit where credit’s due – he couldn’t have done my coccygectomy without me! This kind of surgery is definitely a team sport. He did his small bit well, leaving me and my helpers to look after the surgery site. As a patient, if there was something I should have done or could have done to look after the site, minimise damage and speed up healing I did it 100%.I used every trick in my extensive book to do my job well. My thoughts were that I only had one chance to get my bit right, and if I did, I could look forward to a life without relentless pain and regret. It worked. Me and my surgeon made a great team. After years of research I don’t know of anybody better qualified to do a great job of diagnosing and treating coccyx problems in the UK (if you’re reading this and you’ve had a brilliant surgeon and super results please share, as there are obviously more people in need out there than Mr. Hardy can deal with). It was a real pain in the arse for me to get to Bristol from Sheffield with a badass to have the surgery done but it was worth it. I hope this helps many of you who are still stranded and trapped in pain to find a quick way out."" Distilled from a much longer testimonial sent to Mr Hardy by J.T.

"First day back at work 4 months post op. Prior to having my surgery with Dr Hardy I suffered with coccydynia pain for 6 years. I had local NHS manipulation and 3 steroid injections from a doctor in Paris but the pain persisted. My brother-in-law sign posted me to Dr Hardy through the power of social media: Coccyx.org I read his reviews from previous patients and knew I had to meet him. I had my first appointment with Dr Hardy and I remember leaving and saying to my sister my mind is now at ease. An operation was suggested and later within months I booked it with his PA. I cannot explain at how good and invaluable the post op care, information and support has been. Dr Hardy works in a very person-centred manner and I am recovering well. I listened to Dr Hardy’s instructions and managed to heal my wound in 6 weeks. Having my operation with Dr Hardy has been the best decision I made and I now look forward to continuing to work and live life normally again." Saranjit Kairo