Doha agreement meeting on terminology and definitions in groin pain in athletes

Abstract

BackgroundHeterogeneous taxonomy of groin injuries in athletes adds confusion to this complicated area.AimThe ‘Doha agreement meeting on terminology and definitions in groin pain in athletes’ was convened to attempt to resolve this problem. Our aim was to agree on a standard terminology, along with accompanying definitions.MethodsA one-day agreement meeting was held on 4 November 2014. Twenty-four international experts from 14 different countries participated. Systematic reviews were performed to give an up-to-date synthesis of the current evidence on major topics concerning groin pain in athletes. All members participated in a Delphi questionnaire prior to the meeting.ResultsUnanimous agreement was reached on the following terminology. The classification system has three major subheadings of groin pain in athletes:1. Defined clinical entities for groin pain: Adductor-related, iliopsoas-related, inguinal-related and pubic-related groin pain.2. Hip-related groin pain.3. Other causes of groin pain in athletes.The definitions are included in this paper.ConclusionsThe Doha agreement meeting on terminology and definitions in groin pain in athletes reached a consensus on a clinically based taxonomy using three major categories. These definitions and terminology are based on history and physical examination to categorise athletes, making it simple and suitable for both clinical practice and research.

Clinical Measures of Hip Range of Motion Do Not Correlate With the Degree of Cam Morphology in Semi-Elite Australian Footballers: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…1 The hip joint is a possible source of symptoms for athletes who complain of anterior hip and groin pain. 2 Hip related groin pain in young athletes is often attributed to Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAIS).…”

A Combined Treatment Approach Emphasizing Impairment-Based Manual Therapy and Exercise for Hip-Related Compensatory Injury in Elite Athletes: A Case Series

“…1,2,3,4 In athletes with groin and low back pain, accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment can be challenging due to complex anatomy and similar clinical patient complaints,. 5,6,7 Musculoskeletal differential diagnosis within the lumbopelvic hip complex includes discernment regarding pathologies that may be intra-articular (i.e. acetabular labral tears, cartilaginous damage) or extra-articular (muscular in nature) to the hip.…”

“…Dysfunction related to the core and adductor muscle complex and/or the pubic, inguinal, and lumbar regions must also be considered as a potential source of groin pain. 2,7 Further complicating the presentation is the possibility of multiple coexisting diagnoses 3 and regional interdependence as a contributing factor to local pain and impairment, 8 as well as global movement system dysfunction. It has been found that up to 94.1% of athletes diagnosed with athletic pubalgia have radiographic evidence of femoral acetabular impingement (FAI) 9,10,11 while hip and groin pathology and low back pain have been proposed to be found concurrently in the same patient population.…”

“…It has been found that up to 94.1% of athletes diagnosed with athletic pubalgia have radiographic evidence of femoral acetabular impingement (FAI) 9,10,11 while hip and groin pathology and low back pain have been proposed to be found concurrently in the same patient population. 12,13,14,15 Multiple diagnostic methods and modalities, 7,15,16,17 including a layered pathoanatomical approach, 1 have been proposed to help clarify the identification of specific diagnoses, guide treatment, and explain potential mechanisms of injury within the hip and lumbopelvic region.…”

Hip and groin pain in sub-elite South African footballers

“…[1] The typical groin injury involves one or more anatomical structures in the groin region. Recent consensus [4] describes categorisation of groin injuries based on the involved clinical entities: adductorrelated, iliopsoas-related, inguinal-related, pubic-related and hip-related groin pain. There is acknowledgement that multiple pathologies can coexist in patients with chronic groin pain, with hip joint pathology thought to be a major contributor to secondary breakdown of adjacent structures.…”