Editorial Commentary: Refractory Osteitis Pubis Appears to Respond Favorably to Endoscopic Pubic Symphysectomy

Osteitis pubis is an important cause of pain in athletes which may be severe enough to prevent participation in sports. While the majority of patients respond to conservative measures, approximately 5% to 10% do require surgery. A variety of surgical options exist ranging from total symphysectomy to arthrodesis. Recent advancements in arthroscopy have allowed arthroscopists to explore endoscopic symphysectomy as a surgical management. Endoscopic pubic symphysectomy does appear to allow for adequate resection and resolution of symptoms with minimal complications and without causing instability. Preliminary good short term results have been reported using this technique. In addition to being less invasive and retaining efficacy, endoscopic pubic symphysectomy can be concomitantly performed with arthroscopic procedures for coexistent conditions like femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, adductor, and rectus abdominis pathologies.