Evaluation, Diagnosis and Management of Persisting Pain Post Sportsman’s Groin Repair

Abstract

Aim: This article is aimed as a guide to a clinician who sees a patient representing with persistent groin pain after they have undergone a sports hernia repair. Methods & Results: Groin pain related to a repetitive strain injury better known as either inguinal disruption, athletic pubalgia or more commonly the sportsman's groin is discussed. Once a diagnosis of the loss of the inguinal canal integrity or a posterior wall weakness is diagnosed and then surgically treated by any technique, any further recurrence or persistence of groin pain requires evaluation for the other possible causes of groin pain. Diagnoses such as an adductor tendinopathy, rectus abdominis origin tear, femoroacetabular impingement, pubic bone oedema or even the presence of a true hernia must again be re-evaluated. Any specific management will subsequently be aimed at the other cause (s). Discussion: Understanding of the complexity of the groin both anatomically, as well as physiologically, will help diagnose and treat persistent and recurrent groin pain, with a multi-disciplinary approach key to a successful outcome.