Osteitis Pubis (Pubic Symphysis Inflammation)
A common cause of chronic groin pain
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What are the symptoms of Osteitis Pubis?
What causes Osteitis Pubis?
Potential causes include:
- Repetitive athletic activity
- Running and high-impact exercise
- Soccer, hockey, football, and other cutting sports
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Pelvic or abdominal surgery
- Trauma to the pelvis
- Muscle imbalances involving the core, hips, and groin
Over time, ongoing inflammation can lead to chronic pain and functional limitations.
Why does Osteitis Pubis become chronic?
Most cases improve with rest and rehabilitation. However, in some individuals, inflammation persists despite months of conservative treatment.
Advanced imaging studies have shown that chronic inflammatory conditions often develop abnormal small blood vessels and ongoing inflammatory signaling within the affected tissues. This chronic inflammatory cycle may contribute to persistent pain even after the original injury has healed.
Patients who continue to experience symptoms for several months despite treatment should undergo further evaluation to determine whether additional treatment options may be appropriate.
Osteitis Pubis vs. Sports Hernia
Many patients with chronic groin pain wonder whether they have osteitis pubis or a sports hernia.
While both conditions can cause groin pain in athletes, they involve different structures:\
- Osteitis pubis involves inflammation of the pubic symphysis joint.
- Sports hernia (athletic pubalgia) involves injury to muscles, tendons, or soft tissues of the lower abdominal wall.
The symptoms often overlap, and some patients may have both conditions simultaneously. A thorough evaluation and appropriate imaging are important for establishing an accurate diagnosis.
How is Osteitis Pubis diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination. Because several conditions can cause similar symptoms, your physician may recommend imaging studies to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes of groin pain.
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Traditional treatment options for Osteitis Pubis
- Rest and activity modification
- Physical therapy
- Core and pelvic stabilization exercises
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Corticosteroid injections
Many patients improve over several weeks or months with these approaches.
For severe cases that persist for 6–12 months or longer, surgical treatment may occasionally be considered. Surgical options can include removal of inflamed tissue, stabilization procedures, or treatment of associated tendon injuries.
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International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS)
Answer each question about your urinary symptoms over the past month. Your total score is calculated instantly.
0 of 7 answered
1. Incomplete Emptying: How often have you had the sensation of not emptying your bladder?
2. Frequency: How often have you had to urinate less than every two hours?
3. Intermittency: How often have you found you stopped and started again several times when you urinated?
4. Urgency: How often have you found it difficult to postpone urination?
5. Weak Stream: How often have you had a weak urinary stream?
6. Straining: How often have you had to strain to start urination?
7. Nocturia: How many times did you typically get up at night to urinate?
Please answer all questions to see your score.
Your I-PSS score
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This score is for informational purposes and is not a diagnosis. Share it with your provider to discuss what it means for you — or fill out the form on this page to talk with our team.
Talk to our teamWOMAC Osteoarthritis Index
Rate each activity by the degree of difficulty you have experienced in the last 48 hours due to your knee.
0 of 24 answered
Pain
1. Walking
2. Stair climbing
3. Nocturnal
4. Rest
5. Weight bearing
Stiffness
1. Morning stiffness
2. Stiffness occurring later in the day
Physical Function
1. Descending stairs
2. Ascending stairs
3. Rise from sitting
4. Standing
5. Bending to floor
6. Walking on flat surface
7. Getting in/out of car
8. Going shopping
9. Putting on socks
10. Lying in bed
11. Taking off socks
12. Rising from bed
13. Getting in/out of bath
14. Sitting
15. Getting on/off toilet
16. Heavy domestic duties
17. Light domestic duties
Please answer all questions to see your score.
Your WOMAC score
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This score is for informational purposes and is not a diagnosis. Share it with your provider to discuss what it means for you — or fill out the form on this page to talk with our team.
Talk to our teamFoot & Ankle Disability Index (FADI)
Rate each item by your current level of difficulty. Higher scores indicate better foot and ankle function.
0 of 26 answered
Activity
1. Standing
2. Walking on even ground
3. Walking on even ground without shoes
4. Walking up hills
5. Walking down hills
6. Going up stairs
7. Going down stairs
8. Walking on uneven ground
9. Stepping up and down curbs
10. Squatting
11. Sleeping
12. Coming up to your toes
13. Walking initially
14. Walking 5 minutes or less
15. Walking approximately 10 minutes
16. Walking 15 minutes or greater
17. Home responsibilities
18. Activities of daily living
19. Personal care
20. Light to moderate work (standing, walking)
21. Heavy work (push/pulling, climbing, carrying)
22. Recreational activities
Pain
23. General level of pain
24. Pain at rest
25. Pain during your normal activity
26. Pain first thing in the morning
Please answer all questions to see your score.
Your FADI score
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This score is for informational purposes and is not a diagnosis. Share it with your provider to discuss what it means for you — or fill out the form on this page to talk with our team.
Talk to our team
Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members.
Suite 340
Golden Valley, MN 55427
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