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Highlights & Basics
- Groin pain is a very common injury resulting from physical activity, including sports. Most common is adductor-related, iliopsoas-related, inguinal-related, and hip-joint-related groin pain.
- Intra-articular pathology of the hip joint presents itself as groin pain in most cases. Referred pain from other sources is not uncommon.
- Signs and symptoms typically include activity-related pain, pain with movement of the hip, and antalgic gait.
- The first-line imaging test for most conditions is a set of standard radiographs. More advanced imaging modalities, such as computed tomography, ultrasound, and MRI, should be used with discretion when clinically indicated.
- Establishing the correct diagnosis is the first step to instituting appropriate treatment. Treatment may vary widely depending on the disease entity present.
Quick Reference
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Citations
European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy. A formal ESSKA-EHPA-ESMA consensus: hip and groin pain in physically active adults. Oct 2024 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Hölmich P. Adductor-related groin pain in athletes. Sports Med Arthrosc. 1997;5:285-291.
Hölmich P, Uhrskou P, Ulnits L, et al. Effectiveness of active physical training as treatment for long-standing adductor-related groin pain in athletes: randomized trial. Lancet. 1999;353:439-443.[Abstract]
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