Joint Space Injection for Osteitis Pubis in an Airborne Jump Injury: A Case Report

Osteitis Pubis (OP) is groin pain caused by overloading stresses on the pubic symphysis. This is often caused by the repetitive stress seen in competitive sports, but can also be caused by rapid acceleration or deceleration. It is a diagnosis of exclusion made after other entities such as fracture or infection are ruled out. It is often treated conservatively with rest, Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), and Physical Therapy (PT). After these treatment modalities have failed, intra-articular injection with local anesthetics and steroids can be considered. We report a case of a 22-year-old Male Active Duty Army Soldier who presented with OP immediately after landing during a routine Airborne Jump exercise. The Soldier reported landing in such a way that his feet did not impact the ground at the same time, creating a sheering force on his pelvis. Following two months of failed treatment involving NSAIDS and PT, the patient was referred to Sports Medicine where he received an injection of 1 mL of 1% lidocaine and 40 mg of triamcinolone into the pubic symphysis joint space. Shortly afterward the patient endorses complete resolution of his symptoms without return of symptoms at 1-month follow-up. Although injection of the pubic symphysis with local anesthetic and steroids has been previously described, this is the first time it has been described in a jump injury.