Osteitis pubis in athletes

Curr Sports Med Rep. 2012 Mar-Apr;11(2):96-8. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e318249c32b.

Abstract

Osteitis pubis is one of many etiologies of groin pain in athletes. It is a painful overuse injury of the pubic symphysis and the parasymphyseal bone that typically is found in athletes whose sports involve kicking, rapid accelerations, decelerations, and abrupt directional changes. Athletes most commonly present with a complaint of anterior and/or medial groin pain but also can present with lower abdominal, adductor, inguinal, perineal, and/or scrotal pain. Symptoms can be severe and can limit participation in sport until treatment is instituted. Imaging is useful for ruling out other etiologies of groin pain, identifying concomitant pathology, and confirming the diagnosis itself. Treatment is varied but usually includes nonoperative measures of rest, rehabilitation, and/or pharmacotherapy and also may include injections and/or surgical procedures. A high clinical suspicion should exist when evaluating soccer, rugby, or American football players and distance runners who present with complaints of groin pain.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Athletes
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Athletic Injuries / drug therapy
  • Athletic Injuries / physiopathology
  • Athletic Injuries / rehabilitation
  • Female
  • Groin / injuries
  • Groin / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Osteitis / diagnosis*
  • Osteitis / drug therapy
  • Osteitis / physiopathology
  • Osteitis / rehabilitation
  • Pain / diagnosis
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Pain / rehabilitation
  • Pubic Symphysis / drug effects
  • Pubic Symphysis / injuries
  • Pubic Symphysis / physiopathology
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones