One month after a Burch operation, performed because of urinary stress incontinence, a 65-yr-old woman developed progressive suprapubic pain and a characteristic waddling gait. Initial treatment with bed rest, non-steroidal antiphlogistics and corticosteroids was unsuccessful. Six months later, a biopsy of the symphysis performed because of persisting disabling pain yielded a positive culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A longlasting treatment with intravenously administered antibiotics followed by ofloxacin orally, resulted in complete clinical cure and progressive radiological improvement. The distinction between noninfectious osteitis pubis and infectious symphysitis or osteomyelitis of the pubis is discussed.