Tenosteochondrosis of the Pubis

Summary

Pubic tenosteochondrosis is an almost disregarded clinical picture found in young men, particularly in footballers. It consists of characteristic paroxysmal, boring, resting pain in the hips, groins or loins associated with marked tenderness when pressure is applied to the inferior pubic ramus. The syndrome was found in six out of 42 randomly selected soldiers aged 18—24 years. In a further seven there was only marked tenderness on pressure. In a number of these 13 subjects with clinical findings there was found to be a tendency for the symphysis to be wider and the bone structure to be less regular than that seen in subjects without symptoms or signs. However, the wide normal variation in the radiographic appearance of the symphysis in this age-group precludes the use of individual X-rays in support of the diagnosis. The six patients with symptoms were treated with ultrasound with satisfactory effect.

The pathology and pathogenesis of the syndrome is discussed.