Adductor tenotomy as a treatment for groin pain in professional soccer players

Athletes With Adductor-Related Groin Pain: A Narrative Review

Adductor-related groin pain is extremely common among athletes, and despite its high prevalence and impact, there is no consensus regarding taxonomy, anatomy, physiopathology, or treatment. We performed a comprehensive literature review and tried to demystify this pathology and its treatment. The Doha agreement classification and its impact are scrutinized as well as the complexity of the proximal adductor longus (AL) insertion and its relationship with the pyramidalis-anterior pubic ligament-AL complex. The stress-shielding and compression theories for the origin of AL tendon pathology are exploited along with how this knowledge translates into injury prevention protocols and surgical techniques. The importance of active rehabilitation protocols and intersegmental control-focused programs is highlighted. The role of an enthesis injection in the treatment algorithm is discussed along with when to perform a tenotomy. The differences between selective and complete tenotomy are highlighted.

Groin Pain Syndrome Italian Consensus Conference update 2023

Groin pain syndrome (GPS) is a controversial topic in Sports Medicine. The GPS Italian Consensus Conference on terminology, clinical evaluation and imaging assessment of groin pain in athletes was organized by the Italian Society of Arthroscopy in Milan, on 5 February 2016. In this Consensus Conference (CC) GPS etiology was divided into 11 different categories for a total of 63 pathologies. The GPS Italian Consensus Conference update 2023 is an update of the 2016 CC. The CC was based on a sequential, two-round online Delphi survey, followed by a final CC in the presence of all panelists. The panel was composed of 55 experts from different scientific and clinical backgrounds. Each expert discussed 6 different documents, one of which regarded the clinical and imaging definition of sports hernias, and the other 5 dealt with 5 new clinical situations thought to result in GPS. The panelists came to an agreement on the definition of a sports hernia. Furthermore, an agreement was reached, recognizing 4 of the 5 possible proposed pathologies as causes to GPS. On the contrary, the sixth pathology discussed did not find consensus given the insufficient evidence in the available scientific literature. The final document includes a new clinical and imaging definition of sports hernia. Furthermore, the etiology of GPS was updated compared to the previous CC of 2016. The new taxonomic classification includes 12 categories (versus 11 in the previous CC) and 67 pathologies (versus 63 in the previous CC).

A proposed algorithm for the treatment of core muscle injuries

In recent years, there has been increased awareness and treatment of groin injuries in athletes. These injuries have been associated with various terminologies including sports hernia, core muscle injury (CMI), athletic pubalgia and inguinal disruption, among others. Treatment of these injuries has been performed by both orthopaedic and general surgeons and may include a variety of procedures such as rectus abdominis repair, adductor lengthening, abdominal wall repair with or without mesh, and hip arthroscopy for the treatment of concomitant femoroacetabular impingement. Despite our increased knowledge of these injuries, there is still no universal terminology, diagnostic methodology or treatment for a CMI. The purpose of this review is to present a detailed treatment algorithm for physicians treating patients with signs and symptoms of a CMI. In doing so, we aim to clarify the various pathologies involved in CMI, eliminate vague terminology, and present a clear, stepwise approach for both diagnosis and treatment of these injuries.

A Systematic Review Shows High Variation in Terminology, Surgical Techniques, Preoperative Diagnostic Measures, and Geographic Differences in the Treatment of Athletic Pubalgia/Sports Hernia/Core Muscle Injury/Inguinal Disruption

PURPOSE

To perform a systematic review of reported terminologies, surgical techniques, preoperative diagnostic measures, and geographic differences in the treatment of core muscle injury (CMI)/athletic pubalgia/inguinal disruption.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify clinical studies or articles that described a surgical technique to treat CMI refractory to nonoperative treatment. The search phrase used was "core muscle injury" OR "sports hernia" OR "athletic pubalgia" OR "inguinal disruption." The diagnostic terminology, country of publication, preoperative diagnostic measures, surgical technique, and subspecialty of the operating surgeons described in each article were extracted and reported.

RESULTS

Thirty-one studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, including 3 surgical technique articles and 28 clinical articles (2 Level I evidence, 1 Level II, 4 Level III, and 21 Level IV). A total of 1,571 patients were included. The most common terminology used to describe the diagnosis was "athletic pubalgia," followed by "sports hernia." Plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis were the most common imaging modalities used in the preoperative evaluation of CMI/athletic pubalgia/inguinal disruption. Tenderness-to-palpation testing was the most common technique performed during physical examination, although the specific locations assessed with this technique varied substantially. The operating surgeons were general surgeons (16 articles), a combination of orthopaedic and general surgeons (7 articles), or orthopaedic surgeons (5 articles). The most common procedures performed were open or laparoscopic mesh repair, adductor tenotomy, primary tissue (hernia) repair, and rectus abdominis repair. The procedures performed differed on the basis of surgeon subspecialty, geographic location, and year of publication.

CONCLUSIONS

A variety of diagnostic methods and surgical procedures have been used in the treatment of a CMI/athletic pubalgia/sports hernia/inguinal disruption. These procedures are performed by orthopaedic and/or general surgeons, with the procedures performed differing on the basis of surgeon subspecialty and geographic location.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, systematic review of Level I to V studies.

The conservative treatment of longstanding adductor-related groin pain syndrome: a critical and systematic review

Longstanding (chronic) adductor-related groin pain syndrome is a widely common problem for athletes in many sports activities which often drastically reduces player activity and performance. The first choice in therapeutic treatment is conservative therapy. The objective of this study is to provide a systematic review regarding conservative treatment for longstanding adductor-related groin pain syndrome present in literature today. Furthermore, this study aims to give a critical vision of the current state of the art of the considered topic. After screening 234 articles, 19 studies following the inclusion criteria were included and summarized in this current systematic review and seven different types of therapeutic interventions were described. Compression clothing therapy, manual therapy together with strengthening exercise and prolotherapy were the therapeutic interventions which showed both the greatest level of strength of evidence (Moderate) and grade of recommendation (D). The remaining four types of therapeutic interventions i.e.: corticoid injection, platelet rich plasma therapy, intra-tissue percutaneous electrolysis and pulse-dose radiofrequency, showed both lower levels of strength of evidence (Conflicting) and grade of recommendation (C). In conclusion the literature available on the conservative treatment for longstanding adductor-related groin pain syndrome is limited and characterized by a low level of evidence. Therefore, our recommendation is to refer only to the few studies with higher level of evidence and at the same time to encourage further research in this area. The intervention showing the greater level of strength of evidence, and the greater grade of recommendation are compression clothing therapy, manual therapy and strengthening exercise, and prolotherapy. Other therapeutic interventions such as intra-tissue percutaneous electrolysis and pulse-dose radiofrequency seem promising but require further studies to confirm their efficacy.

Ultrasound-Guided Cutting Wire Release of the Proximal Adductor Longus Tendon: A Feasibility Study

Background:

Adductor longus tendinopathy is a well-known etiology of chronic groin pain in elite athletes. Surgery is indicated for those who fail conservative treatment. No studies to date have evaluated the feasibility of an ultrasound-guided release of the proximal adductor longus tendon.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The primary aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of an ultrasound-guided selective adductor longus release with a cutting wire. A secondary aim was to determine safety by avoiding injury to adjacent structures. We hypothesized that the proximal adductor longus tendon can be released under ultrasound guidance with a cutting wire without injury to adjacent neurovascular or genitourinary structures.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

Ten adductor longus tendons (5 cadaveric specimens) from 4 males and 1 female between 76 and 89 years of age with a mean body mass index of 21.9 kg/m² (range, 16.8-29.6 kg/m²) were used during this study. A single experienced physician sonographer performed ultrasound-guided proximal adductor longus tendon releases on all cadaveric specimens using a cutting wire. Dissection was performed by a second physician to determine the completeness of the tendon transections and to detect injury to adjacent neurovascular or genitourinary structures.

Results:

All 10 adductor longus tendons were transected. Eight of 10 transections were complete, whereas in 2 transections, >99% of the tendon was transected. There were no injuries to adjacent genitourinary or neurovascular structures.

Conclusion:

Ultrasound-guided adductor tendon release is feasible and safe in a cadaveric model. Further translational research should be performed to determine whether these results can be replicated in the clinical setting.

Clinical Relevance:

Adductor longus tendinopathy frequently requires surgical intervention and prolonged time away from sport. The present study suggests that a selective adductor longus tendon release can be performed with ultrasound guidance. This procedure warrants further translational research to explore its use in clinical practice.

A qualitative literature review exploring the role of the inguinal ligament in the context of inguinal disruption management

Purpose

Groin injury, sportsman’s groin and inguinal disruption (ID) refer to a diffuse chronic groin pain syndrome that has significant impact on athletes and is often unresponsive to conservative management. The ID aetiology is poorly understood but may involve weakness of the inguinal ligament attachments or the posterior inguinal canal wall or the tendons of adductor longus and rectus abdominis. We discuss the literature in which the inguinal ligament was directly targeted for ID management in athletic populations. Secondarily, we discuss the anatomical reclassification of the inguinal ligament to a tendon based on the above information.

Methods

This was a qualitative review of the published literature, in English, from January 2007 to February 2017.

Results

Five research papers, including 264 patients, were appraised. In patients with ID, tears were identified in the inguinal ligament, and to relieve pain, the surgical treatment of the ligament by tenotomy was shown to be beneficial. Techniques such as radiofrequency denervation involving the inguinal ligament and ilioinguinal nerve were also shown to relieve symptoms in athletes.

Conclusions

This qualitative review has specifically focused on the literature directly targeting the inguinal ligament in ID which is a relatively unexplored management approach. When treated as a tendon, the inguinal ligament appears to be an appropriate ID therapeutic target. Integrated studies and randomised clinical trials will promote a better understanding of the role of the inguinal ligament and its tendinous properties in ID and provide a foundation for evidence-based management of chronic groin pain in athletes.

Proximal Adductor Avulsion Injuries: Outcomes of Surgical Reattachment in Athletes

Background:

Sports-related groin injuries are common among athletes. However, traumatic proximal adductor avulsion injuries are relatively rare groin injuries in the athletic population, with limited case reports describing suture anchor repair.

Purpose:

To report on the outcomes of surgical reattachment of proximal adductor avulsion injuries in athletes utilizing a suture anchor repair technique.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Prospective data were collected on patients undergoing surgical reattachment of proximal adductor avulsion injuries from December 2012 to May 2015 by a single surgeon. Six athletes presented after a traumatic sports-related injury with disabling groin pain, adductor weakness, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmation of fibrocartilage avulsion of the proximal adductor with retraction. Patient-reported outcomes (Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living [HOS-ADL] and Hip Outcome Score–Sport Specific [SS] subscales, modified Harris Hip Score [mHHS], and visual analog scale [VAS] for pain) were collected preoperatively and at a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Results:

The latest follow-up of each patient averaged 33.4 months postoperatively (range, 25-42.5 months). All patients returned to sporting activities, with 1 minor wound complication that resolved. Paired-samples t tests indicated that the mean latest postoperative scores for all patients were significantly better than their mean preoperative scores (HOS-ADL: 99.0 vs 43.2, HOS-SS: 98.9 vs 8.3, and mHHS: 97.1 vs 44.6, respectively; P < .001 for all). Similarly, there was a significant improvement in mean postoperative VAS scores for all patients (from 89.2 to 2.2; P < .001).

Conclusion:

Patient-reported outcomes offer an objective measure of hip function and pain control. Surgical reattachment utilizing a multiple suture anchor technique is a successful procedure that allows for a safe return to athletic performance and a predictable return to sport.

The use of platelet-rich plasma to augment conservative and surgical treatment of hip and pelvic disorders

BACKGROUND

In recent years, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has gained popularity within the orthopaedic community as a treatment modality to enhance tissue healing.

PURPOSE

This review aims to concisely present the current indications for PRP injections in the treatment of hip and pelvic pathologies and to describe some novel applications for PRP which have not yet been reported in the literature.

METHODS

We reviewed the literature on the non-operative and operative indications for PRP in the treatment of hip and pelvic pathologies.

CONCLUSIONS

With regard to hip and pelvic pathologies, PRP injections are used most commonly as a non-operative intervention, and have been described in the literature to treat osteoarthritis of the hip joint as well as tendinopathy of the hamstrings, adductor longus, and gluteus medius. In contrast, most of the surgical applications of PRP for the hip are novel, with few reported studies in the literature. Because of the increasing awareness of PRP's beneficial effects on musculoskeletal healing and thus the growing number of indications for its use, this review also describes some novel applications for PRP, including osteitis pubis, post-microfracture of the hip, tears of the rectus femoris, and avulsion of the sartorius muscle.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V.

Nonoperative treatment and return to play after complete proximal adductor avulsion in high-performance athletes

PURPOSE

To assess the outcome of nonoperative treatment after complete avulsion of the proximal adductor longus tendon in high-performance athletes.

METHODS

Six consecutive athletes were included. Treatment was conservative following a strict rehabilitation plan. Following parameters were analysed: basic data, mechanism of injury, classification, tendon retraction, size of defect in MRI and return to play (RTP).

RESULTS

Mean age at injury was 28 ± 5 (range 20-32) years. Overstretch (83 %) and kicking (50 %) were the most frequent injury mechanisms, and the dominant leg was involved in 83 %. Average retraction of the avulsed tendon amounted 21 ± 5 mm. Follow-up MRIs demonstrated a gradual reattachment of the tendon in all cases. All athletes returned to full sportive activity on preinjury level within 88.7 ± 12.8 (range 75-110) days with no functional deficiencies. Manual muscle strength was equal to the contralateral side.

CONCLUSION

Nonoperative treatment with a healing phase and a strict rehabilitation plan results in a functional, efficient reattachment of the tendon and allows unrestricted RTP. Since these injuries are rare, present study may help sports physicians when dealing with this type of injuries in professional athletes. Return to sports can be expected at approximately 13 weeks after injury, but can take even longer.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case series, Level IV.

Athletic groin pain: a systematic review of surgical diagnoses, investigations and treatment

Introduction

Athletic groin pain requiring surgery remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This systematic review aims to identify the most common causes of groin pain in athletes requiring surgery. Additionally, it aims to further characterise their susceptible athlete profiles, common physical examination and imaging techniques, and surgical procedures performed. This will enable the orthopaedic sports medicine clinician/surgeon to best treat these patients.

Materials and methods

The electronic databases MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE were searched from database inception to 13 August 2014 for studies in the English language that addressed athletic groin pain necessitating surgery. The search was updated on 4 August 2015 to find any articles published after the original search. The studies were systematically screened and data were abstracted in duplicate, with descriptive data presented.

Results

A total of 73 articles were included within our study, with data from 4655 patients abstracted. Overall, intra-articular and extra-articular causes of groin pain in athletes requiring surgery were equal. The top five causes for pain were: femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) (32%), athletic pubalgia (24%), adductor-related pathology (12%), inguinal pathology (10%) and labral pathology (5%), with 35% of this labral pathology specifically attributed to FAI.

Conclusions

Given the complex anatomy, equal intra-articular and extra-articular contribution, and potential for overlap of clinical entities causing groin pain leading to surgery in athletes, further studies are required to ascertain the finer details regarding specific exam manoeuvres, imaging views and surgical outcomes to best treat this patient population.

Sonographic evaluation of athletic pubalgia

Athletic pubalgia, or "sports hernia", represents a constellation of pathologic conditions occurring at and around the pubic symphysis. These injuries are primarily seen in athletes or those involved in athletic activity. In this article, we review the sonographic appearance of the relevant complex anatomy, scanning technique for ultrasound evaluation of athletic pubalgia, and the sonographic appearances of associated pathologic conditions.

Successful return to high-level sports following early surgical repair of combined adductor complex and rectus abdominis avulsion

Hip and groin injuries are common in athletes who take part in high level sports. Adductor muscle tendon injuries represent a small but important number of these injuries. Avulsion of the tendons attached to the symphysis pubis has previously been described: these can be managed both operatively and non-operatively. We describe an uncommon variant of this injury, namely complete avulsion of the adductor sleeve complex: this includes adductor longus, pectineus and rectus abdominis. We go on to describe a surgical technique which promotes a full return to the pre-injury level of sporting activity.

Over a period of ten years, 15 high-level athletes with an MRI-confirmed acute adductor complex avulsion injury (six to 34 days old) underwent surgical repair. The operative procedure consisted of anatomical re-attachment of the avulsed tissues in each case and mesh reinforcement of the posterior inguinal wall in seven patients. All underwent a standardised rehabilitation programme, which was then individualised to be sport-specific.

One patient developed a superficial wound infection, which was successfully treated with antibiotics. Of the 15 patients, four complained of transient local numbness which resolved in all cases. All patients (including seven elite athletes) returned to their previous level of participation in sport.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1488–92.

Sonographic prevalence of groin hernias and adductor tendinopathy in patients with femoroacetabular impingement

BACKGROUND

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common debilitating condition that is associated with groin pain and limitation in young and active patients. Besides FAI, various disorders such as hernias, adductor tendinopathy, athletic pubalgia, lumbar spine affections, and others can cause similar symptoms.

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence of inguinal and/or femoral herniation and adductor insertion tendinopathy using dynamic ultrasound in a cohort of patients with radiographic evidence of FAI.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

This retrospective study consisted of 74 patients (36 female and 38 male; mean age, 29 years; 83 symptomatic hips) with groin pain and radiographic evidence of FAI. In addition to the usual diagnostic algorithm, all patients underwent a dynamic ultrasound examination for signs of groin herniation and tendinopathy of the proximal insertion of the adductors.

RESULTS

Evidence of groin herniation was found in 34 hips (41%). There were 27 inguinal (6 female, 21 male) and 10 femoral (9 female, 1 male) hernias. In 3 cases, inguinal and femoral herniation was coexistent. Overall, 5 patients underwent subsequent hernia repair. Patients with groin herniation were significantly older than those without (33 vs 27 years, respectively; P = .01). There were no significant differences for any of the radiographic or clinical parameters. Tendinopathy of the proximal adductor insertion was detected in 19 cases (23%; 11 female, 8 male). Tendinopathy was coexistent with groin herniation in 8 of the 19 cases. There were no significant differences for any of the radiographic or clinical parameters between patients with or without tendinopathy. Patients with a negative diagnostic hip injection result were more likely to have a concomitant groin hernia than those with a positive injection result (80% vs 27%, respectively). Overall, 38 hips underwent FAI surgery with satisfactory outcomes in terms of score values and subjective improvement.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate that groin herniation and adductor insertion tendinopathy coexist frequently in patients with FAI. Although the clinical effect is yet unclear, 5 patients underwent hernia repair. Dynamic ultrasound is a useful tool to detect such pathological abnormalities. Diagnostic hip injections can be helpful to differentiate between the sources of pain.

Study quality on groin injury management remains low: a systematic review on treatment of groin pain in athletes

Background

Groin pain in athletes is frequent and many different treatment options have been proposed. The current level of evidence for the efficacy of these treatments is unknown.

Objective

Systematically review the literature on the efficacy of treatments for groin pain in athletes.

Methods

Nine medical databases were searched in May 2014. Inclusion criteria: treatment studies in athletes with groin pain; randomised controlled trials, controlled clinical trials or case series; n>10; outcome measures describing number of recovered athletes, patient satisfaction, pain scores or functional outcome scores. One author screened search results, and two authors independently assessed study quality. A best evidence synthesis was performed. Relationships between quality score and outcomes were evaluated. Review registration number CRD42014010262.

Results

72 studies were included for quality analysis. Four studies were high quality. There is moderate evidence that, for adductor-related groin pain, active exercises compared with passive treatments improve success, multimodal treatment with a manual therapy technique shortens the time to return to sports compared with active exercises and adductor tenotomy improves treatment success over time. There is moderate evidence that for athletes with sportsman's hernia, surgery results in better treatment success then conservative treatment. There was a moderate and inverse correlation between study quality and treatment success (p<0.001, r=−0.41), but not between study quality and publication year (p=0.09, r=0.20).

Conclusions

Only 6% of publications were high quality. Low-quality studies showed significantly higher treatment success and study quality has not improved since 1985. There is moderate evidence for the efficacy of conservative treatment (active exercises and multimodal treatments) and for surgery in patients with adductor-related groin pain. There is moderate evidence for efficacy of surgical treatment in sportsman's hernia.