Sportman’s Groin

This is also known as Gilmore’s Groin or Sportman’s Hernia. It is a muscle-tendon injury that involves the deep layer of the abdominal muscles, pelvic muscles and adductor tendons as they insert into the pelvic / groin bone. The abdominal muscles insert into the inguinal ligament that helps to form an arch through which the nerves and vessels travel from the pelvis to the leg. A traction or pulling injury here can widen or tear the arch, weakening it.

Who is affected by Sportman’s Groin?

Athletes or trainees involved in high burst impact or explosive take-off activities that put a huge pulling force onto these tendons are at risk. Footballers, Rugby, Rowing Running and Biking can all give rise to these problems.

What are the symptoms for Sportman’s Groin?

This can start as a gradual overuse injury with soreness and stiffness. Full blown Sportman’s Groin can lead to severe sharp pain on even the lightest of strains put across the body torso or pelvis. Even coughing or sneezing can be agony.

How is it diagnosed?

A sports injury professional at Surrey Orthopaedic Clinic will carefully take a history and examine you as well as recommend some investigations like an MRI scan.

What is the Treatment for Sportman’s Groin?

P.O.L.I.C.E.

Protect the injury,

Optimal Loading through careful physiotherapy support

Ice

Core strength exercised once pain-free

Evaluate your condition to monitor progress

Marathon/Triathlon: Hip Injuries, Hip Pain, Stress Fracture

Stress fracture: What is the injury?

Hip injuries are common in all athletes but this injury is especially common in runners and triathletes. A femoral neck stress facture, a crack near the ball at the top of the femur (the hip is a ball and socket joint) is the most serious. Stress fractures almost always occur because of overuse, usually by runners trying to “ramp up” their miles before a big race. The bone simply cannot take the pounding

What are symptoms?

Hip pain in the front thigh region and groin pain in the inner skin crease that worsens on the heel strike landing on that foot when running or hopping can signal a hip stress fracture. It can also hurt when lying down and almost always gets worse with activity so do not try and run through the pain.

​If you have this type of pain, ask yourself two questions:

1. Have I upped my training too fast too soon?
2. How is my bone density? This is a significant risk factor and formal osteoporosis (very low bone density) does not have to exist for a stress fracture to occur.

If you cannot hop on the affected leg and think you have a stress fracture, please do not continue your routine. An orthopaedic consultation is recommended to ensure you remain in the best condition.

What diagnostics are required? What technology is used?

A good clinical examination is always important. Plain x-rays are helpful but an MRI scan is the gold standard to show whether a stress fracture has occurred. A bone density scan is also recommended to check that your bones are in good health.

What treatment is required for Hip stress fracture?

Fix It

In mild cases, the fracture will heal if activity is altered and crutches may be used to protect the hip for a few weeks.

Use dynamic rest. Stop any activity that impacts the hip joint. Use upper body and core workouts to maintain your fitness.

Supplement your calcium and Vitamin D intake. We require 1,300 milligrams a day and vitamin D is made by your skin naturally in sunshine so make the most of this when its out.

Slowly strengthen your body slowly as the fracture heals. It may take up to three months for the bone to heal. Gradually add lower body exercises to your routine but consultation is recommended before returning to any impact activity.

​Prevent it

Up your calcium and Vitamin D with milk and yoghurt or take supplements, especially f you have a family history of osteoporosis.

Follow the 10 percent rule. Never up your weekly running mileage by more than 10 percent.

Train your hips and core. The stronger your core muscles, glutes, hips and legs are, the more support your hip joint will have against injury with regular impact.

If you have this type of pain or problem, it is recommended to see an orthopaedic surgeon for investigation and advice.

Don’t Ignore It

If a stress fracture goes unrecognised and left untreated, ongoing activity can lead to a full break. This may be unstable and this can require urgent surgical fixation to prevent it from moving or displacing as this can jeopardise the hip joint, putting it at risk, therefore it is important to recognise a stress fracture early to prevent this from happening.

How long will it take to recover?

• Rehabilitation starts with 2 to 4 weeks protected weight-bearing.
• Strengthening exercises take place at 6 to 8 weeks.
• Mean return to sport is 12 weeks.