title: Use of pubic symphysis curettage for treatment-resistant osteitis pubis in athletes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In athletes, osteitis pubis is regarded as a problem of overuse, with instability and movement of the anterior pelvis. There is no evidence to conclusively support any treatment modality. Recovery with nonoperative management can take an extended period of time, often unsatisfactory for professional athletes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Curettage of the pubic symphysis is a viable option for nonoperative treatment of resistant osteitis pubis in athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study presents the results of curettage of the pubic symphysis in 23 athletes with osteitis pubis that was refractory to initial nonoperative therapies. Patients met the criteria for the study if they had symptoms suggestive of osteitis pubis and underwent isolated pubic symphysis curettage. The discomfort had been present for a mean of 13.22 months before presentation. Patients were reviewed at 24.31 months (range, 12.5-59.6 months) postoperatively. Twelve of the patients also underwent a postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan at 19.10 months; any findings of residual osteitis pubis were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean visual analog scale for pain improved from 6.9 preoperatively to 2.8 postoperatively (P = .36). Twenty-one patients returned to pain-free running by 3.14 months (range, 1.5-6 months), 17 to training by 4.44 months (range, 2.5-7 months), and 16 to full activity by 5.63 months (range, 2.5-12 months). Overall, 61% of patients reported an activity grade of 4 at postoperative review, defined as no pain with full activity. There were no significant postoperative complications in the study group. Marrow edema improved in most cases for which magnetic resonance imaging was available preoperatively and postoperatively. Patient satisfaction with the procedure was high, with 78% of participants feeling their symptoms were better or much better than preoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors suggest that this relatively simple procedure can be of significant benefit to those athletes wishing to return to their previous levels of physical activity when more nonoperative measures have proven unsuccessful.
authors: Perth Orthopaedic and Sports Medical Centre, West Perth, Australia. rossradic@hotmail.com
authors: Ross
authors: R
authors: Radic
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Annear
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D054874:Athletic Performance; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D003475:Curettage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010000:Osteitis / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D011630:Pubic Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D017211:Treatment Failure