Anatomy & function
Athlete's groin, also known as "soft groin", is the term used to describe pain in the groin region, which is a common problem, especially among top athletes .
The groin is the connection between the abdomen and thigh. One of the most important structures in this region is the inguinal canal, which contains nerves, the ligamentum teres uteri or the spermatic cord (funiculus spermaticus), depending on gender. The inguinal canal is bordered by the inguinal ligament and various muscles.
In the case of an athlete's hernia, a weakness of the posterior inguinal canal wall, the so-called transversalis fascia, leads to instability of the inguinal canal. During exercise or other forms of stress, the pressure in the abdominal cavity increases and the inguinal canal wall bulges into the inguinal canal as a result. This results in compression of the nerves running through it and a typical stabbing pain in the groin.
In the course of time, the instability can lead to an inguinal hernia.
Symptoms & complaints
Signs of an athlete's ridge can include
- Exercise-induced groin pain
- Radiation of the pain to the inner thigh, outer testicles, pubic bone
Sharp and pulling pains in the groin that occur during physical exertion are typical symptoms of an athlete's groin. The pain may also radiate to the inner thigh, the outside of the testicles or the pubic bone. The symptoms usually improve during a break from sport.
Causes
Causes of an athlete's ridge include
- Overload
The athlete's ridge is particularly common in sports with fast movements and abrupt changes of direction, such as soccer or ice hockey.
Diagnosis
The inconsistent definition of the athlete's ridge can make diagnosis difficult.
Our doctors at the Orthozentrum Freiburg will ask you about your symptoms in a detailed consultation. Among other things, the time course, severity and type of pain will play a role. During the course of the consultation, a physical examination will be carried out, particularly of the groin region, but also of the spine, legs and hip joint.
Since groin pain can have numerous causes, other conditions such as hip joint arthrosis, inflammation of the pubic bone or a hernia should be ruled out.
An ultrasound examination, in which a protrusion of the inguinal canal can be seen, is crucial for the diagnosis of an athlete's hernia. To further confirm the suspicion, a so-called diagnostic infiltration can be carried out. This involves injecting a pain-relieving medication directly into the groin; a subsequent improvement in symptoms indicates an athlete's groin.
Treatment
Conservative therapy:
The following conservative therapies are possible:
- Physical protection
- Drug therapy: analgesics
- Physical therapy: Cold
- Physiotherapy
- Injection of anti-inflammatory medication(infiltration)
Until the symptoms have subsided, athletes should take a break from sport and take sufficient physical rest. In the short term, taking painkillers from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve the pain and inhibit inflammatory processes. Applying cooling pads to the affected area can also be helpful. Physiotherapy can be started to stretch and strengthen the muscles in the affected area.
If these measures do not lead to a satisfactory improvement in symptoms, an anti-inflammatory medication can be injected into the groin. Our doctors at the Orthozentrum Freiburg will be happy to advise you further in this regard.
Operation:
The aim of the operation is to reinforce and stabilize the posterior wall of the inguinal canal in order to relieve the nerves in the inguinal canal and thus eliminate the cause of the pain. This can be done with the help of a mesh insert or a suture in an open or minimally invasive operation.