Recent Advances and Challenges in Rehabilitation of Osteitis Pubis in Athletes- A Systematic Review

Abstract

Osteitis pubis is a common and often debilitating injury in athletes, characterized by chronic groin pain and inflammation of the pubic symphysis. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate recent advances and ongoing challenges in the rehabilitation of osteitis pubis among athletes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane for articles published between 2015 and 2025. Studies were screened and selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria focusing on rehabilitation interventions for osteitis pubis in athletic populations. The review synthesizes findings on new therapeutic strategies, rehabilitation protocols, multimodal approaches, and their clinical outcomes. Challenges identified include diagnostic difficulties, variability in treatment adherence, and recurrence rates. Recent advances such as targeted physiotherapy techniques, use of shockwave therapy, and tailored return-to-sport guidelines show promise in improving recovery times and functional outcomes. However, heterogeneity in study designs and protocols limits generalizability. This review highlights the need for standardized rehabilitation guidelines and further high-quality research to optimize management of osteitis pubis in athletes.