{"title":"Narrative review of long-standing groin pain in athletes. Retrospective analysis of over 12 000 patients.","authors":"Osvaldo Santilli, Hernán Santilli","doi":"10.1007/s10029-024-03229-z","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This article critically examines long-standing groin pain (LSGP) in physically active adults related to sports overload by analyzing terminology, pathophysiology, and treatment.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This review is based on data from over 10,000 patients managed through a multidisciplinary algorithm. (LSGP) has been variably labeled, using terms that have led to inconsistencies in understanding its origin and management. Terms such as \"Pubic Inguinal Pain Syndrome,\" \"Sportsman's Groin,\" and \"Athletic Pubalgia\" have been proposed to standardize terminology and unify the classification of (LSGP). Pathophysiologically, (LSGP) is often due to tendinopathies affecting major tendons in the groin region, such as the adductors, iliopsoas, conjoint tendon, and inguinal ligament, often associated with weakness in the posterior wall of the inguinal canal. This condition frequently arises in sports involving abrupt directional changes and high-energy loads in the groin. Tendinopathies progress through reactive, reparative, or degenerative stages of tendinosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Literature supports a multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, physiotherapists, sports medicine physicians, and orthopedists for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Our algorithm focuses on both anatomical and functional factors in managing (LSGP). Initial conservative therapies aim to support tendon regeneration and load correction, while surgical interventions, such as laparoscopic hernioplasty, are reserved for non-responsive cases. From 2004 to 2024, 12,144 patients completed this protocol, with only 14% requiring surgery. Long-term follow-up demonstrated a low recurrence rate of tendinopathy and an absence of severe complications.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Standardizing terminology, understanding pathophysiology, and utilizing a multidisciplinary approach are essential for optimizing the diagnosis and management of sports-related (LSGP).</p>","PeriodicalId":13168,"journal":{"name":"Hernia","volume":"29 1","pages":"81"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Hernia","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-024-03229-z","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"SURGERY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: This article critically examines long-standing groin pain (LSGP) in physically active adults related to sports overload by analyzing terminology, pathophysiology, and treatment.
Method: This review is based on data from over 10,000 patients managed through a multidisciplinary algorithm. (LSGP) has been variably labeled, using terms that have led to inconsistencies in understanding its origin and management. Terms such as "Pubic Inguinal Pain Syndrome," "Sportsman's Groin," and "Athletic Pubalgia" have been proposed to standardize terminology and unify the classification of (LSGP). Pathophysiologically, (LSGP) is often due to tendinopathies affecting major tendons in the groin region, such as the adductors, iliopsoas, conjoint tendon, and inguinal ligament, often associated with weakness in the posterior wall of the inguinal canal. This condition frequently arises in sports involving abrupt directional changes and high-energy loads in the groin. Tendinopathies progress through reactive, reparative, or degenerative stages of tendinosis.
Results: Literature supports a multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, physiotherapists, sports medicine physicians, and orthopedists for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Our algorithm focuses on both anatomical and functional factors in managing (LSGP). Initial conservative therapies aim to support tendon regeneration and load correction, while surgical interventions, such as laparoscopic hernioplasty, are reserved for non-responsive cases. From 2004 to 2024, 12,144 patients completed this protocol, with only 14% requiring surgery. Long-term follow-up demonstrated a low recurrence rate of tendinopathy and an absence of severe complications.
Conclusion: Standardizing terminology, understanding pathophysiology, and utilizing a multidisciplinary approach are essential for optimizing the diagnosis and management of sports-related (LSGP).
期刊介绍:
Hernia was founded in 1997 by Jean P. Chevrel with the purpose of promoting clinical studies and basic research as they apply to groin hernias and the abdominal wall . Since that time, a true revolution in the field of hernia studies has transformed the field from a ”simple” disease to one that is very specialized. While the majority of surgeries for primary inguinal and abdominal wall hernia are performed in hospitals worldwide, complex situations such as multi recurrences, complications, abdominal wall reconstructions and others are being studied and treated in specialist centers. As a result, major institutions and societies are creating specific parameters and criteria to better address the complexities of hernia surgery.
Hernia is a journal written by surgeons who have made abdominal wall surgery their specific field of interest, but we will consider publishing content from any surgeon who wishes to improve the science of this field. The Journal aims to ensure that hernia surgery is safer and easier for surgeons as well as patients, and provides a forum to all surgeons in the exchange of new ideas, results, and important research that is the basis of professional activity.