Bacterial osteitis pubis in a weight lifter without invasive trauma

Osteitis pubis is a well-known complication of invasive procedures about the pelvis which is caused by a bacterial infection. It is also now known that osteitis pubis in athletes is an inflammatory disorder rather than infectious as previously thought. It occurs in athletes who place significant repetitive stresses across the symphysis in such activities as running, race walking, gymnastics, soccer, rugby, basketball, and tennis. This case report, however, describes a weight lifter who developed a bacterially caused osteitis pubis without any invasive trauma. He was evaluated thoroughly and no other focus of infection was found. He was treated conservatively with intravenous antibiotics and physical therapy. At 3 months follow-up he had returned to his usual fitness activities without limitations. Although most osteitis pubis in athletes is inflammatory in nature, health care providers must keep an index of suspicion that an infectious etiology is possible in this population even without invasive trauma.