Osteitis pubisis the non-infectious inflammation of the joint between your left and right pubic bones, called thepubic symphysis.
Osteitis pubis can also develop during pregnancy due to the weight-bearing stress placed on thepubic girdle.
The treatment of osteitis pubis typically involves rest, ice app, and over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers.
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Physical therapy and assistive walking devices can aid with healing.
Surgery may be needed, but this is uncommon.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of osteitis pubis is pain over the front of the pelvis.
Thepelvic paintypically radiates outward.
Football, ice hockey, soccer, basketball, and tennis players are most commonly affected.
There are no lab tests that can conclusively diagnose the condition.
The diagnosis is based largely on the clinical signs and the exclusion of all other possible causes.
Pain or discomfort felt when squeezing is suggestive of osteitis pubis.
These are generally classified asidiopathic(meaning of unknown origin).
Differential Diagnosis
Osteitis pubis is often confused with other injuries or conditions that cause persistent pelvic pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapycan be extremely helpful in treating osteitis pubis.
While rest is needed for the inflammation to subside, physical therapy can help you regain strength and flexibility.
For those who do not need surgery, most can return to sports within three months.
Recovery from surgery can take three to eight months, depending on the extent of the injury.
Summary
Osteitis pubis is the inflammation of a joint called the pelvic symphysis.
Symptoms include pelvic pain, limping, and clicking sounds with movement.
Osteitis pubis is diagnosed with a physical exam and imaging tests.
Treatment typically involves rest, ice/heat software, and over-the-counter painkillers.
Physical therapy and assistive walking devices can also help.
Surgery is uncommonly used.
Gomella P, Mufarrij P.Osteitis pubis: a rare cause of suprapubic pain.Rev Urol.
2022 Mar 8;14(3):e22976.
PMID: 35464551; PMCID: PMC9001088.
