Chronic inguinal pain
Athletes suffering from permanent inguinal pain should consult a professional sportsmedicine physician
The groin region is described as the area of the lower abdomen which is confined by the caudal (below) inguinal ligament, the medial (towards the middle) edge of the rectus abdominis muscle, the lateral (sideways) iliac crest and a line proceeding approximately 10 cm above the inguinal ligament.
The region of the adductor muscles insertion at the pubic bone is commonly considered to be part of the inguinal region. Chronic inguinal pain is frequently observed amongst athletes and is defined as constant pain in the groin for more than 6 months. The scientific literature describes inguinal pain lasting for more than 2 months as long standing groin pain (LSGP). Athletes engaging in intensive contact sports such as soccer/football, basketball, handball but also runners are most likely to be affected.
Chronic inguinal pain can have various origins
A number of conditions can be the reason for the symptom of chronic inguinal pain since the groin is often a projection area for several other conditions.
In case of groin pain, every organ or organ systems that might cause the pain has to be examined in order to reveal possible pathological conditions.
Possible differential diagnoses that have to be considered and examined are listed below:
- Inguinal hernia, including a Sportsman's hernia (Gilbert's groin)
- Hip disorders
- Inflammation of the pubic joint
- Stress fractures of the pelvis
- Avulsion fractures
- Injuries of the adductor muscles, the pelvic floor muscles and the straight abdominal muscles
- Urological disorders e.g. cystitis and prostatitis
- Abdominal surgery disorders e.g. appendicitis, morbus Crohn, diverticulitis
- Disorders of the lumbar spine and the pelvis, especially the iliosacral joint
- Functional disorders of the musculo-tendinous systems (descending and ascending chains)
This brief overview of the most common and relevant differential diagnoses shows that patients suffering from constant inguinal pain should contact an experienced sports physician who is familiar with the symptom complex listed above. He is responsible for the initiation of taking the patient's medical history, the physical examination and the appropriate diagnostic.