Osteitis pubis is a condition where the joint between the two pubic bones is stressed, resulting in pain, swelling, and tenderness over the pubis, which can also spread to the groin area. It commonly affects athletes who overdo activities regularly, with soccer players among the most susceptible. The incidence of osteitis pubis among athletes is as high as 8 percent.
Doctors can diagnose osteitis pubis using X-rays or other imaging tests. Conservative treatments like rest, anti-inflammatories, and ice or cold packs can help reduce swelling, followed by heat treatment. Physiotherapy with exercises and stretching can also strengthen the hip and groin muscles.
However, if conservative treatments fail to alleviate the pain, more invasive methods like steroid shots and surgery may be necessary. Surgery is only required in about 5 to 10 percent of cases, but the outcomes are mixed, with only six out of ten patients being satisfied with the results.
Athletes may find conservative treatments frustrating as it takes months to recover fully, while surgery is unappealing due to mixed results. However, shockwave therapy is a promising non-surgical treatment for osteitis pubis and other sports-related injuries.
In a study published in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, researchers investigated shockwave therapy as a standardized treatment for a swift return to activity. The study involved 143 amateur soccer players with groin pain and osteitis pubis over a year. The experimental groups participated in a physical therapy program either with or without shockwave therapy, while the control group didn’t participate in any therapy program and ceased activity.
The study showed that shockwave therapy significantly reduced pain, with 42 out of 44 players in the experimental group returning to activity after four months with no recurrent groin pain. Shockwave therapy also enabled earlier pain relief and a faster return to action than physical therapy alone. In addition, follow-up MRI scans showed no side effects of shockwave therapy.
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that delivers acoustic pressure waves to the injured area to boost the body’s natural healing processes by increasing metabolism and circulation. In addition to osteitis pubis and groin pain, shockwave therapy can treat sports-related injuries such as hamstring injuries, Achilles tendinopathy, and patellar tendonitis. All healthcare professionals can use shockwave technology, and experienced practitioners provide 24/7 support to integrate shockwave into your practice.