CC2023: Core Muscle Injury: Evaluation and Treatment in the Athlete (March 2023)-Core Muscle Injury: Evaluation and Treatment in the Athlete (March 2023)

Core Muscle Injury: Evaluation and Treatment in the Athlete (March 2023)

Pdf Summary

Core muscle injury, also known as sports hernia or athletic pubalgia, refers to pain in the groin region where the abdominal muscles attach to the pubis. It can be challenging to diagnose due to the overlap of symptoms with other musculoskeletal disorders. The cause of chronic groin pain in athletes is often strains or tears of the hip flexors and/or adductor tendons. Diagnosis of core muscle injury is clinical, although imaging techniques such as ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful. Nonoperative treatment includes rest, activity modification, physical therapy, and rehabilitation exercises. Rehabilitation programs focus on strengthening the core, improving stability, and gradually returning the athlete to sports activities. If nonoperative treatment fails, surgical repair may be considered. The surgical technique involves repairing the weakened posterior wall of the inguinal canal and addressing any concomitant adductor tendinopathy. Return to play after surgery for an isolated sports hernia typically takes 4 weeks, while return to play after adductor release surgery can take 12 weeks. The outcomes of operative treatment for core muscle injury are generally successful, with high rates of return to sports and improvement in symptoms. In cases where core muscle injury coexists with femoroacetabular impingement or adductor tendinopathy, both conditions need to be addressed for optimal results. Overall, core muscle injury requires a high level of clinical suspicion and a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment in athletes with groin pain.

Keywords

core muscle injury

sports hernia

athletic pubalgia

groin pain

abdominal muscles

hip flexors

adductor tendons

diagnosis

nonoperative treatment

surgical repair