Adductor (Groin) Strain/Pain
When it comes to sports medicine, groin pain is known as the “Bermuda Triangle” (Bizzini, 2011). It is given this name because of the complex anatomy around the groin and hip. Additionally, injuries are difficult to differentiate due to being the result of multiple structures and throughout history injuries have been poorly described with multiple diagnoses for essentially the same injury. Due to the confusion and frequency of groin pain being misunderstood, a group of the worlds leading experts formulated the DOHA agreement in 2014. This agreement simplified groin pain into 4 specific categories and 2 subcategories. It is important to note that someone may have overlap between more than one category. Individuals who have multiple categories of groin pain have a worse prognosis and more time loss from sport.
Adductor related groin pain
iliopsoas related groin pain
Pubic related groin pain
Inguinal related groin pain
The 2 subcategories were groin pain related to the hip joint and groin pain due to medical causes (e.g. cancer).
Groin pain is highly prevalent in the sporting world. It particularly affects those athletes participating in sports that require rapid change of direction and kicking. The two sports that have the greatest incidence of groin pain/injury are soccer (football) and Australian rules football. Other sports such as ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse and the rugby codes are also prevalent for groin pain/injury.
Adductor related groin pain is the most common presentation (68%), whilst the other categories are significantly less common. Iliopsoas related groin pain (12%), Pubic related groin pain (9%), inguinal related groin pain (8%), hip related groin pain (1%), and groin pain due to a medical cause is also uncommon (3%).
When it comes to time loss from sport, the statistics are lower than the reality of groin pain burden. This is because many athletes actually play through the groin pain, which ultimately leads to reduced performance and enjoyment. Director and osteopath Jackson was one of these individuals in his youth. He began having groin pain which he pushed through for more than 3 years before he was significantly functionally affected. If you experience groin pain, his lesson to all is to see your osteopath for a management plan!
What are the statistics of groin pain?
These statistics are largely from elite data in men’s European football (soccer).
High prevalence = 1 in 5 male footballers will have time loss due to groin pain per season!
3rd most common time loss to sport injury - Frequency = 13% of all time loss injuries. Only behind ankle ligament injury and hamstring strain.
Each season a club can expect 6-7 groin injuries per club per season!
Match play incidence higher than training (especially early into the season) = Match play 3.5/1000 hours > training = 0.7/1000 hours.
Males > Females = 2.5 the risk ratio of female athletes in the same sport at the same level of competition.
58% dominant kicking side was affected -Highlights kicking mechanism of injury.
70% of the time the groin pain was gradual in onset.
High injury recurrence rate of 25% in the same season!
These statistics are quite alarming and as mentioned earlier osteopath Jackson knows the burden of groin pain personally. If you are suffering from groin pain/injury and it is having an effect on your performance. Then ensure you book an appointment at The Reform Lab Osteopathy for advice and structured rehabilitation in the elite gym Project Reform.
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