We have all heard of the Osteitis Pubis injury and seen the effect of it with several AFL players crippled like Judd, Ball, Hodge etc but what is it exactly? Well hopefully we can help explain it.
Osteitis Pubis is caused by the inflammation of the Symphysis Publis
Most of this information was taken from a local newspaper reporting on local players suffering from this injury. Meaning that not only top level AFL players suffer from this injury and surgery a lot of the time is not an option.
Before we have talked about the ACL knee Reconstruction including a diary of one of our writers going through his injury and his recovery. So now lets focus on Osteitis Pubis…
Osteitis Pubis is an injury usually felt in the groin and is caused by inflammation of the pubic symphysis located at the front of the pelvic girdle.
Cause of the Osteitis Pubis
“Prevention is better than Cure” and this is certainly fitting when it comes to OP. Footballers are deemed most at risk because of the sports high impact nature.
Apart from an incident occurring during rigorous competitive sport or resulting from pregnancy, osteitis pubis can be categorized into two main groups:
Overload (or training errors).
- Exercising on hard surfaces, like concrete.
- Exercising on uneven ground.
- Beginning an exercise program after a long lay-off period.
- Increasing exercise intensity or duration too quickly.
- Exercising in worn out or ill fitting shoes.
Biomechanical Inefficiencies
- Faulty foot and body mechanics and gait disturbances.
- Poor running or walking mechanics.
- Tight, stiff muscles in the hips, groin and buttocks.
- Muscular imbalances.
- Leg length differences.
Prevention of Osteitis Pubis
There is an argument that players should mix up their exercise programs to help deter OP.
Players should know their limits when it comes to physical exercise. They need to identify perhaps when they are overreaching or beginning to over train and try and balance weight bearing and the high velocity exercise that they do with something a little lighter like jogging or swimming.
Symptoms of Osteitis Pubis
The Symptoms usually consist of pain and tenderness in the groin which is usually felt as sharp or dull. The onset of pain is usually gradual and may develop into the lower abdomen and also down into the groin and thigh.
Some Options for Treatment of Osteitis Pubis
It depends on what stage the injury is at as to how it is treated but it’s definitely serious. The worst case scenario being that a player would have to consult a surgeon.
Please view the Wiki on Osteitis Pubis which has more information (Thanks to AussieRulesBlog).
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May 13th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Guys, it would be a good start to get the spelling of the condition right. Also see Osteitis pubis om Wikipedia.
aussierulesblogs last blog post..Is "Buddy" the new "Richo"?
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May 13th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
mmmm Thanks AussieRulesBlog. The resource I used must have spelt it wrong without the ‘I’. I have now fixed it though
I also added some of the Wiki information, so thanks again
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May 13th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Bugger! Hoist on my own petard!!!
aussierulesblogs last blog post..Is "Buddy" the new "Richo"?
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June 2nd, 2009 at 6:54 am
I went to the doctor back in 2006 with complaints of groin pain. While i was never diagnosed with it (mainly because i didnt want to go back) my GP was convinced that i had early stages of it. I ignored him and continued playing footy, but just two or three games later i couldn’t run properly and had to sit out a few games. that was june/july 2006, i played about 7 more games out of 21 games until june 2008 when i retired mid season.
I may be wrong but if my GP was right and i had it, it is an extremely excruicating pain. at first it was minor but during the first quarter in a game, i was running and all of a sudden my groin seized up and i could barely even walk without severe pain. i was helped from the ground and didnt play or train for two weeks because every time i ran or did physical training the pain was unbearable and i could not continue. if that is what this disease is, then i have had it…and i understand why, without proper treatment it can destroy a player’s football career.
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