Chronic groin pain in young sportsmen: Algorithm of assessment and treatment

Abstract

Background: Chronic groin pain (CGP) is a syndrome characterized by pain in the pubic and inguinal-crural regions, resulting in a functional deficit that can lead to severe impairment of different motor tasks. Objective: The main objective of this study is to describe and analyze an algorithm used for the assessment and treatment of chronic groin pain in young sportsmen used for 10 years. Methods: Descriptive, observational, and retrospective study, adapted with recommendations of the STROBE Declaration (Strengthening Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) for its design. The study was carried out at an Hernia Pathology Center. It is a multidisciplinary team formed by surgeons, physiotherapists, orthopedists, and imaging specialists, with extensive experience in the research field. This team had developed an assessment, diagnosis, and treatment algorithm for CGP which was implemented for more than 15 years. Results: After clinical examination and complementary imaging, 3,858 patients were included to follow the algorithm. A total of 3,289 patients completed the sports physiotherapy and rehabilitation protocol. The most frequent clinical entities registered were tendinopathies: 1,649 iliopsoas-pectineus-related groin pain (42.7%) and 1,522 adductor-related groin pain (39.5%). A total of 569 patients with sportsman's hernia diagnosis required surgical intervention. There were no intraoperative complications; furthermore, all patients discharging after 6 hours of hospital stay. Conclusions: The assessment, diagnosis, and treatment algorithm used by a multidisciplinary team to treat patients with chronic groin pain has proven to be safe and successful.