What are the Symptoms of Osteitis Pubis?

Signs of Osteitis Pubis: Pain, Discomfort & When to Seek Help

If you are experiencing a chronic, sharp, or throbbing pain in your abdomen and groin area, it may be more than just soreness or a strain. One possible reason behind this can be osteitis pubis, a non-infectious, inflammatory condition that affects the joint connecting the two sides of the pelvic bone.

Untreated osteitis pubis may result in limited movement and a decline in your quality of life. This condition affects athletes and women after pregnancy. Its symptoms often mimic those of groin strains, hernias, or hip injuries, leading to frequent misdiagnosis.

Read on to understand what osteitis pubis is, its causes, symptoms, and other details.

What is Osteitis Pubis?

Also called the pubis, the pubic bone is one of the three bones (alongside the ilium and ischium) that form the pelvis (hip). A cartilaginous connection (joint) between the two sides of the pelvic bone is called the pubic symphysis. Osteitis pubis occurs when the joint and its surrounding areas get inflamed due to stress or overuse.

People of any age and gender can have osteitis pubis. However, it is common in people who are active or involved in sports (football or marathon running). A woman can also experience this condition postpartum.

What are the Causes of Osteitis Pubis?

Osteitis pubis is most common among athletes (football players, skaters, or long-distance runners). Repeating the same movements can put a strain on the pubic symphysis over time. Movements involving running, kicking, or doing sit-ups can put pressure on the joint and cause irritation.

Osteitis pubis in women can occur after childbirth. A strenuous period of labour can strain the pelvis and cause inflammation. It dies out on its own with proper rest.

Certain surgeries in the groin region may also cause this condition.

Having a health condition like hip impingement or an injury that has significantly affected the way you walk can also be a cause of osteitis pubis.

What are the symptoms of osteitis pubis?

Pain is the most defining symptom of osteitis pubis, especially in the lower pelvis area or groin. You will experience a continuous throbbing pain in the centre of the pelvis while sitting. The pain worsens with activities like running, walking, or changing directions suddenly.

The other typical signs include:

• Lower abdominal pain or discomfort originating from the centre of the pelvis.
• Pain in the inner thigh muscles.
• A feeling of pain or discomfort when lying on your side.
• Feeling weak while walking or just moving about. It may impact your walking pattern.
• Some people experience fever or chills accompanied by pain.
• Sneezing or coughing – any such sudden actions can trigger a sharp pain in the pubic area.

How is Osteitis Pubis Diagnosed?

Given the similarity of the symptoms, osteitis pubis is often confused with conditions such as groin strain, sports hernia, or osteomyelitis. After recording your detailed medical history, doctors will follow up with tests to make the diagnosis.

The tests done to confirm the diagnosis of osteitis pubis are:

• X-Ray
• Ultrasound
• CT Scan
• MRI
• Pelvic bone scan
• Blood and urine tests
   

Blood and urine tests may be performed to help rule out other causes of pelvic pain, such as infection or inflammatory arthritis.
 

What are the treatments for osteitis pubis?

The recommended treatment for osteitis pubis is rest. A sudden return to the previous working routine will aggravate the condition and cause more pain. The comeback has to be gradual, making sure you perform regular activities more safely. In the case of athletes, doctors will recommend avoiding full participation for six months.

Physical Therapy (PT) is a great way to recover from osteitis pubis. It will help strengthen the pelvic muscles (muscles around the pubic bone). PT can also improve your gait and movements that tend to produce stress on the pubic joints.

Medicines prescribed for this condition are:

• Over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), reduce pain and inflammation.
• Mild painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help with the pain. However, consumption of painkillers in large amounts will have adverse effects, like liver damage.
• Corticosteroid injection for inflammation.
   

If conservative treatments fail after many months, and pain remains severe and debilitating, surgery may be considered as a last resort. These rare procedures can include curettage (scraping) or arthrodesis (fusion) of the pubic symphysis, not simply muscle strengthening.

 

In conditions such as osteitis pubis, early diagnosis leads to a faster recovery. Knowing the signs and seeking early help from your healthcare professional can help you make a full recovery. A combination of rest, physical therapy, and resuming regular activities gradually is the way to a pain-free life.

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