Expert DIAGNOSIS is Everything
Groin pain is a frequent disability commonly seen in footballers, golfers and other sports players and athletes. In certain muscle strains and tears, the sequence is acute groin pain which at first can be completely crippling, then gradually subsiding with chronic, repetitive, sharp pain, and aching groin,
more marked with certain movements.
Some patients have an associated lump, which commonly indicates an inguinal hernia.
The first treatment frequently given to professional sportsmen is intensive physiotherapy, ultrasound, sports hernia injections and graduated exercise. This is often successful in healing muscle strains.
Where a lump is present, however, early surgery is necessary. Where no lump is apparent and where physiotherapy fails to correct the problem, it is possible that the groin-area muscles have torn. This tear must be repaired, a procedure which gives good results.
Groin Strain? Torn Muscle? Hernia?
In any case it is essential to diagnose correctly whether the problem is a groin strain, torn muscle or hernia. One must avoid giving the treatment for one when the condition is another. Sometimes it may be difficult to distinguish which condition exists.
By no means is surgery required in all such cases, especially where there is no swelling.
Experts in hernia would not rush into surgery in these cases, so it is essential to consult specialists who regularly see all these kinds of cases.
Where required, these various injuries are treated surgically at The British Hernia Centre as day cases under local anaesthesia and allow a return to full (even vigorous) training, usually within 2 to 3 weeks.