Patient with Groin Pain After an Athletic Event

Abstract

A healthy 20-year-old college scholarship football player presented with a 6-month history of left groin pain. He was referred for possible sports hernia related to pain that developed relatively acutely during summer workouts prior to his most recent season. The pain was initially localized to the pubic tubercle on the left and had improved somewhat over the past 6 months with rest, physical therapy, and alterations in his exercise routine, although he continued to have a deep, gnawing pain localized to the left groin. There was no radiation of pain to the testicle or into the left anterior thigh. He was able to play football during the past season, but had significant ongoing discomfort with sit-ups, lunges, and running, particularly when it involved quick changes in direction. Pain was relieved with rest and oral anti-inflammatory medications. He had been evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed athletic pubalgia and recommended general surgical consultation. The patient wanted to begin spring practice in the upcoming months and preferred to pursue surgical intervention as soon as possible in order to facilitate return to competitive athletics.