Pubis Bone Pain
Osteitis pubis is a painful condition that causes inflammation around the center of the pelvis. It usually occurs as a sports injury due to overuse of the hip and leg muscles. It’s particularly common in athletes who play sports like soccer or hockey that involve changing direction, kicking, or pivoting.
- Osteitis pubis can be treated, but recovery may take a long time.
- Learn more about osteitis pubis and how to treat and prevent it.
- Osteitis pubis is a painful inflammation of the bone and soft tissues of the pubic symphysis, which is the joint connecting the right and left halves of the pelvis.
- Several muscle groups connect to that area, including the lower abdominal muscles and the hip abductor muscles. The inflammation is usually due to stress injuries and overuse of the muscles around the pubic symphysis.
Treatment varies, but rest is usually the best way to heal osteitis pubis. The major symptom of osteitis pubis is pain. The inflammation in the joint and surrounding muscles may cause a constant, dull pain while sitting still. You might find that moving makes the pain worse.
Pain at the center of the pelvis that feels like it radiates outwardLower abdominal pain that is centered in the pelvic areaPain while running, kicking, or changing directionPain while walking, climbing stairs, coughing, or sneezingPain while lying on your sideA clicking or popping sensation when shifting positions
Because walking can be so painful, people with osteitis pubis may find that their gait changes. Your walk may become more of a waddle as you try to minimize the pain from moving. The most common cause of osteitis pubis is repeated stress to the area, Athletes can get the condition due to repetitive motions that strain the joint, connective tissue, and muscles in the pelvic area.
- Sports like soccer, hockey, tennis, football, and long-distance running can all contribute to osteitis pubis. Some research shows that you might get osteitis pubis after surgery in the pelvic area, but this is not common.
- People have also had symptoms of osteitis pubis after giving birth to a baby.
This is also less common than cases related to sports injuries. In general, osteitis pubis will get better with time and rest. Your doctor may suggest ways to manage the pain so that you feel more comfortable. Common ways to deal with osteitis pubis include:
Alternating heat and ice on the painful areas Limiting physical activityTaking time off from sportsTaking pain medicine
In severe cases where osteitis pubis doesn’t get better over time, your doctor may suggest surgery. Typically, surgery is not recommended. Once you feel better and can start moving without pain, you may need physical therapy, A trained therapist can help you build your muscles back up without reinjuring the area.
- You can resume sports once your doctor and physical therapist say it’s safe to do so, which may be as long as 3 to 6 months.
- If you are at risk for osteitis pubis, you can take steps to prevent it.
- Building up strength and flexibility in your pelvic region can reduce the risk of sports injury.
- You may also want to focus on working both sides of your body so that you don’t use one side more than the other.
Unequal strain has been shown to be a risk factor. Some training activities to help avoid osteitis pubis include:
Strengthening hip flexors and hip adductors Strengthening lower back musclesStrengthening abdominal musclesStrengthening hamstring and quadricepsStretchingSwimming
If you work with a trainer or physical therapist, they can suggest more activities that may help you treat or prevent osteitis pubis.
Contents
What does it mean when your pubic bone hurts?
What is osteitis pubis? – Osteitis pubis is inflammation in the joint between your left and right pubic bones (your pubic symphysis). It causes pain and swelling in your groin or lower abdomen. Osteitis pubis is a type of symphysis pubis dysfunction that’s usually caused by repetitively using your hips, pelvis and groin.
- It’s most common in athletes.
- People who are currently pregnant, have recently experienced the birth of a child or have had surgery on or near their abdomen sometimes develop osteitis pubis, too.
- You’ll need to rest and avoid physical activities like sports for a few months to recover from osteitis pubis.
Some people need surgery to repair their pubic symphysis joint if it’s severely damaged or hasn’t gotten better after other treatments.
How do you fix pubic bone pain?
Reduce inflammation with a cold pack – Try to apply a cold pack or ice to your pubic joint for 10-20 minutes following activities that increase pain and at least once a day. Be sure to have a layer of clothing and potentially a pillowcase or dish towel around the pack, so that the cold is more tolerable.
Is pubic bone pain serious?
What is pelvic pain a sign of? – While pelvic pain is often a symptom of urinary tract infections or gastrointestinal issues, it can also indicate a problem with organs in your pelvic area. There are many reasons why pelvic pain may develop. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider.
Can hormones cause pubic bone pain?
Pelvic congestion syndrome (pelvic varicosity syndrome) – In pelvic congestion syndrome, the veins in the pelvis are unusually dilated and engorged, causing pelvic pressure and pain. This has been shown to be related to high levels of estrogen, as estrogen causes veins to dilate.
There are often other signs of hormone imbalance, such as heavy and painful periods. Women of reproductive age are usually affected; the condition is very rare after menopause. The pain is usually dull and aching, although episodes of sharp stabbing pain can occur. It is typically worsened by prolonged standing, and painful intercourse is common.
There is post-coital aching that can last hours or even one to two days, and lower back ache.
Why does my pubic bone hurt after sitting?
Have you been sitting for hours together only to notice a sharp pain in your butt bones? This could be a condition related to your ischial tuberosity. This problem is referred to as seat bones or sit bones pain since it absorbs all your weight when you sit down.
What is Ischial Bursitis? The pain in butt bones when you sit too long is caused by inflammation or irritation of the ischial bursa. It’s a condition where the fluid-filled sacs in the pelvis become inflamed and swollen, causing the sit bone pain. Ischial Bursitis can cause a lot of problems with sitting, walking, or running.
There are several treatments available to improve your symptoms and reduce inflammation in the area. In this article, we’ll discuss everything about butt bone pain from sitting, its causes, symptoms, and treatments. What Causes Ischial Bursitis? Ischial Bursitis can result from sitting too long on hard or uncomfortable surfaces, injury to the tendon or hamstring muscle because of certain physical activities, or from trauma to the area.
- It causes pain right at the centre of your buttock and may sometimes move down to the back of the leg.
- This pain is often confused with sciatica, a pain that is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve.
- However, a doctor would be able to tell the problem by doing a thorough physical examination.
- Symptoms of Ischial Bursitis Some of the symptoms of ischial pain include: ● Pain when you walk or run ● Pain or stiffness in the pelvis area ● Pain when you sit down ● Swelling or redness around the area ● Trouble sleeping on the affected side.
The butt bone pain from sitting down and getting up is diagnosed through a simple physical examination and review of the symptoms you experience. Your doctor may ask you to stand, sit, or move your hips and legs. If at all, your doctor is unable to identify the cause of your symptoms, then you may be asked to do an X-ray, so that your doctor can have a better view of the pelvis area.
An MRI scan or ultrasound may also be performed to check for any swelling and inflammation. In some cases, a little fluid sample may also be taken from the affected area as well. Treatment for Ischial Pain The pain you may experience is most often resolved on its own when you take rest. However, Ischial bursitis pain can sometimes take longer to heal since it’s impossible to completely avoid sitting down.
Some of the treatments for Ischial pain are as follows: Taking Maximum Rest Simply resting from any physical activity that causes the pain can help treat your problem. Avoid sitting down on hard surfaces for too long, and try to lie down and rest to relieve your pain.
Ice Packs In some cases, your doctor may advise you to use ice packs to reduce any swelling and inflammation in the area. Ice packs help with any muscular pains, and using one to treat your sit bone pain can also be helpful. Medications Sometimes sit bone pain can be easily treated through over-the-counter pain relievers such as anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen medication.
Most of the time, your doctor may advise you to take any over-the-counter medication to treat your pain. If medications aren’t effective, you may be given an injection of corticosteroid to help reduce any inflammation in the bursa area. Ring cushion/air cushion Soft cushions can reduce the compression on the butt bones and helps in reducing the inflammation and healing faster Frequent postural changes Continuous constant stress on any part of the body can result in inflammatory disorders and therefore by changing postures frequently significantly reduces the stress on butt bones too.
Exercise Physical therapy is also useful to strengthen the ischial tuberosity muscles and improve flexibility. Climbing stairs can also prove to be helpful. However, whenever you do so make sure to hold a railing in case you suddenly feel the pain that could affect your balance. Stretching exercises could also be helpful to increase your flexibility in the hamstring.
However, before you start any kind of stretches or exercises, it’s important to check with your doctor, A healthcare professional will be able to tell you what exercises are good for you and which ones might worsen the problem. A therapist can provide a range of different exercises and stretches to treat the pain and improve movement in the back, legs, and buttocks.
- Some exercises and stretches for ischial tuberosity include: Lying Down Buttocks Stretch The lying down buttocks stretch can be performed in the following way: ● Lie down flat on the back with your head resting on a cushion or pillow.
- Eep your legs straight.
- Slowly start bending the right knee inwards towards your chest.
● Now, placing the hands around your thighs, below the back of your knee, pull your knee closer to the chest. ● Hold in this position for about 5 to 10 seconds. ● Slowly straighten your leg and repeat the same with the other knee. ● Repeat 5 to 10 times on each leg.
- Must Read : Lower Back Pain: Type, Cause, Symptoms, and Simple Ways to Treat It Hip Extensions Hip extensions are another great exercise when you experience pain in your butt bones.
- These exercises help to strengthen the buttocks and lower back.
- You can perform the hip exercises in the following way: ● Begin on all fours with your knees under the hips and your hands under the shoulders.
Make sure to keep the neck straight. ● Stretch your left arm out in front and stretch the right leg out straight behind. ● Now, slowly raise the stretched left arm and right leg until they are well aligned with your back. ● Hold in this position for about 2 seconds before switching sides.
- Repeat the exercise stretching the left leg and right arm.
- Repeat these stretches about 5 to 6 times.
- Sitting Rotation Stretch The sitting rotation stretch is perfect for the oblique muscles and buttocks.
- This stretch can be performed in the following way: ● Sit in an upright position with your back straight and your feet stretched straight out in front of you.
● Bend your right knee and place your foot flat on the floor. ● Slowly, move your right foot to the outside of your left knee. ● Now, gently start twisting to the right side, while you push your left elbow against the right knee and look over your right shoulder.
- Hold in this position for about 30 seconds, and then return to the starting position.
- Repeat with the other leg.
- These are some excellent stretches and exercise you can perform to treat sit bone pain.
- In case you experience any pain in the lower back, legs or buttocks stop the exercises immediately.
Also, to be on the safer side, check with your doctor before starting any exercises. Dr. Rajendra Reddy | Consultant – Orthopaedics | Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, HSR Layout, Bangalore
Can sitting too long cause pubic pain?
The Connection Between Sitting & Pelvic Floor – The pelvic floor is a crucial part of women’s health. Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that control different functions, such as urination, bowel movements, and sexual function. To imagine your pelvic floor, think about a “hammock” that stretches from the front of your pubic bone, your urethra, vagina, and sides of your abductor muscles to your rectum and coccyx (tailbone).
- This hammock holds your pelvic organs safely in place.
- Your pelvic floor is also responsible for your continence (ability to urinate and defecate).
- If you have pelvic floor dysfunction where your pelvic floor is damaged or weakened, you may experience incontinence (loss of control of bladder and bowel muscles).
When you sit, you’re using your core, Your core consists of the diaphragm, trunk, obliques, and pelvic floor muscles. These muscles all help stabilize you and support your pelvis and spine. If you are sitting with poor posture or sitting too long, your core and the parts of your body that make up that area, such as the pelvic muscles, can be impacted.
Why does my pubic bone hurt at night?
Causes of Pelvic Pain at Night – Pelvic pain has many possible causes, including infection, inflammation, or traumatic injury. Here are some of the most common reasons you may experience pelvic pain at night: Pelvic floor muscle pain, One underappreciated cause of pelvic pain is an imbalance in the pelvic floor muscles.
- They can become too tight (hypertonic pain), especially if you clench your pelvic floor muscles when stressed.
- The result: a dull ache that comes and goes after certain activities or positions.
- Hypertonic pain is particularly noticeable at night, says Dr. Walter.
- It’s a bit like people who clench their jaw and don’t notice until they get a headache.
You may be squeezing your pelvic floor muscles all day because you’re super stressed, and you’re not even aware of it until you go to bed. Then you finally relax and notice that there’s pelvic pain.” Sustained tightness may also lead to compressed nerves in the area, leading to burning or radiating pain.
Incontinence and constipation are other signs you could have pelvic floor dysfunction since those muscles are responsible for holding in and letting out waste. Pregnancy-related pelvic pain, Pelvic pain occurs because of your ligaments stretching and loosening to accommodate a growing baby. Pregnant women are prone to pelvic floor muscular pain as well.
“As your body produces hormones to loosen the area in preparation for giving birth, the pelvic floor muscles have to work even harder to hold everything together,” says Dr. Walter. Pelvic floor physical therapy in advance of giving birth may help optimize muscle strength and flexibility, putting you in a better place to recover after giving birth, adds Dr.
Walter. Other types of pelvic pain during pregnancy: round ligament pain (sharp pain with sudden movements) and Braxton Hicks contractions (“practice” contractions in advance of labor). Most pelvic pain during pregnancy is not serious, but seek advice if you have any concerns (see “When to See a Doctor” below).
Other medical causes of pelvic pain that can cause symptoms at night: Endometriosis, The lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus and responds to your monthly menstrual cycle by cramping and bleeding during your period. This leads to pain, inflammation, and scarring.
Pain may last throughout the month and happen during sex. Pelvic inflammatory disease, This infection of the reproductive organs causes aching in the lower abdomen. You may also notice discharge, vaginal bleeding, fever, and urination problems. PID may be caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Painful periods ( dysmenorrhea ). Painful periods affect up to 81 percent of all women, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – an incredibly common source of pelvic pain. Prostaglandins, chemicals made by the lining of the uterus during your period, are associated with severe pain in the pelvic area.
- The pain can feel like a muscle spasm, a dull ache, or a backache.
- Fibroids,
- These overgrowths of cells in the wall of your uterus may put pressure on the back and pelvis, leading to pain.
- Urinary tract problems,
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) produce pelvic pain (especially around the pubic bone), along with burning or stinging while peeing.
You may feel a constant urge to pee even if you’ve just emptied your bladder. Repeat UTIs increase your risk of chronic pelvic pain. Interstitial cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder wall, has symptoms similar to a UTI and also causes pelvic pain. Digestive system problems,
Where is pubic pain located?
Pain that is felt in your lower belly and above your legs is called pelvic pain. The pelvis is an important part of the body because it is home to organs like your bowel, bladder, ovaries, uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes.There are many causes for pain in this area.
- There may be problems with the skin, the muscles, the nerves, or the organs themselves.
- Sometimes the pain can come from more than one source.
- It’s important to understand the differences between the common causes of pelvic pain.
- It will help you to learn what is normal, what is not, and when you should seek medical help.
Persistent pelvic pain, sometimes called chronic pelvic pain, is pain that is present on most days for six months or more. It is estimated that about one in five women in Australia will experience this sort of pain. The actual number of women suffering from persistent pelvic pain may be even higher because as Jean Hailes gynaecologist Dr Janine Manwaring points out, the journey to getting the correct diagnosis can be a bumpy one.
- She believes there is a lack of education about persistent pelvic pain – not just in the general community, but also in the medical community.
- There are many misconceptions about pelvic pain, particularly period pain,” Dr Manwaring explains.
- Pain can be downplayed by both doctors and by other women within the family.
A lot of it comes down to getting the right information and knowing who the right people are to get in touch with.” Jean Hailes gynaecologist Dr Janine Manwaring So here are some of the conditions that can cause persistent pelvic pain, tips on how to spot the differences between them, and advice on when you need to see a trusted doctor.
Can you strain your pubic bone?
Osteitis pubis is a condition in which there’s inflammation where the right and left pubic bones meet at the lower front part of the pelvis. The pelvis is a set of bones that connect the legs to the upper body. It also supports the intestines, bladder, and internal sex organs.
- The pubis, or pubic bone, is one of three bones that make up the hip.
- The joint where the pubic bones meet is called the pubic symphysis, which is made of cartilage.
- When it and the surrounding muscles become inflamed due to stress on the joint, the result is osteitis pubis.
- Osteitis pubis doesn’t require a surgical procedure or prescription medications.
The key to treating this condition is rest. Osteitis pubis usually develops from overdoing a particular activity, such as running or jumping. So, it’s very important to refrain from exercises or activities that are painful. The more you engage in activities that cause pain or increase inflammation, the longer it will take for the joint to heal.
- In addition to rest, treatment usually focuses on symptom relief.
- To ease pain, apply an ice pack or a package of frozen vegetables wrapped in a thin cloth to the joint.
- Do this for about 20 minutes every three to four hours,
- For further pain relief, your doctor may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).
NSAIDs may cause stomach irritation, especially in older adults. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may also relieve pain. In large doses, it can raise the risk of liver damage and other complications. In some cases, a corticosteroid injection may reduce inflammation and ease symptoms.
- The most obvious symptom of osteitis pubis is pain in the groin and lower belly.
- You may also feel pain or tenderness when pressure is applied to the area in front of your pubic bones.
- The pain tends to start gradually, but it can eventually reach a point where it’s constant.
- It may even affect your ability to stand upright and walk easily.
Osteitis pubis tends to affect athletes and other people who are very physically active. Soccer players, hockey players, and distance runners are especially vulnerable to this injury. Repeating the same actions can stress the pubic symphysis. In addition to running and jumping, kicking, skating, and even sit-ups can put an unhealthy strain on the joint.
Osteitis pubis in women can also develop after childbirth. A prolonged labor that strains the muscles of the pelvis can cause inflammation, which will eventually subside. Surgery or an injury to the pelvis may also result in osteitis pubis. If you suspect that you have osteitis pubis, see your doctor to confirm a diagnosis.
Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms before performing a physical examination. Some imaging tests may be recommended, including:
- X-ray
- ultrasound
- MRI
- CT scan
- bone scan
- blood and urine tests
Some of these tests are used to eliminate other possible causes of symptoms, such as a hernia or an injury to the joint. Exercises to help strengthen the muscles around the pubic symphysis may help you recover and prevent recurring problems. These exercises shouldn’t be done if you’re still experiencing pain.