Professional paper

Is Chronic Groin Pain a Bermuda Triangle of Sports Medicine?

Božidar Šebečić ; Division of General and Sports Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Mladen Japjec ; Division of General and Sports Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Saša Janković ; Department of Orthopedics, Sv. Duh University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Vencel Čuljak ; Division of General and Sports Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Bojan Dojčinović ; Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Mario Starešinić ; Division of General and Sports Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Chronic groin pain is one the most complex conditions encountered in the field of sports medicine. Conservative treatment is long lasting and the result of treatment is often uncertain and symptom recurrences are common, which can be very frustrating for both the patient and the physician. The complex etiology and uncertainties during treatment of chronic groin pain is the reason why some authors call it the Bermuda Triangle of sports medicine. In our prospective, 7-year study, 114 athletes with chronic groin pain resistant to conservative therapy were treated surgically. In 109 athletes with sports hernia, we performed nerve neurolysis along with resection of the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve and we also reinforced the posterior wall of inguinal canal using a modified Shouldice technique. In 26 athletes that had concomitant adductor tendinosis and in 5 athletes with isolated tendinosis we performed tenotomy. Eighty-one of 83 patients with isolated sports hernia returned to sports within a mean of 4.4 (range, 3-16) weeks. Thirty-one athletes with adductor tenotomy returned to sports activity within a mean of 11.8 (range, 10-15) weeks. If carefully diagnosed using detailed history taking, physical examination and correct imaging techniques, chronic groin pain can be treated very successfully and quickly, so it need not be a Bermuda Triangle of sports medicine.

Keywords

Groin – injuries; Athletic injuries; Hernia, inguinal; Musculoskeletal pain

Hrčak ID:

136787

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/136787

Publication date:

1.12.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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