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Review
. 2018 Dec 24:10:1-10.
doi: 10.2147/OAJSM.S155077. eCollection 2019.

Management of osteitis pubis in athletes: rehabilitation and return to training - a review of the most recent literature

Alessio Giai Via  1 , Antonio Frizziero  2 , Paolo Finotti  2 , Francesco Oliva  3 , Filippo Randelli  1 , Nicola Maffulli  4   5
Affiliations
Review

Management of osteitis pubis in athletes: rehabilitation and return to training - a review of the most recent literature

Alessio Giai Via et al. Open Access J Sports Med. .

Abstract

Osteitis pubis is a common cause of chronic groin pain, especially in athletes. Although a precise etiology is not defined, it seems to be related to muscular imbalance and pelvic instability. Diagnosis is based on detailed history, clinical evaluation, and imaging, which are crucial for a correct diagnosis and proper management. Many different therapeutic approaches have been proposed for osteitis pubis; conservative treatment represents the first-line approach and provides good results in most patients, especially if based on an individualized multimodal rehabilitative management. Different surgical options have been also described, but they should be reserved to recalcitrant cases. In this review, a critical analysis of the literature about athletic osteitis pubis is performed, especially focusing on its diagnostic and therapeutic management.

Keywords: groin pain; osteitis pubis; pubalgia; rehabilitation; review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart for search and selection of articles.
Figure 2
Figure 2
“Flamingo view” radiograph (obtained with the patient bearing weight alternately on each leg) that shows vertical pubic subluxation greater than 2 mm and underlying degenerative changes. Note: A caudal osteolysis is visible on the right side (arrow).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Coronal T2 fat suppression MRI image showing marked bilateral diffuse symphyseal bone marrow edema and parasymphyseal edema (arrows).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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