Groin pain in athletes: from injury to return to sport
By Oriol Martínez Picas, registered physiotherapist (Col. 10224) · Published
“Pubalgia” is a general term for groin or pubic pain in athletes. The cause can be different in each case, which is why diagnosis is the first step of recovery.
Why it is hard to diagnose
The groin area is shared by the adductors, abdominals, pubic bone, hip and some nerves. The same pain can come from any of them, or several at once. A detailed examination and, when needed, ultrasound help to find where the problem is.
Phases of recovery
- Settle: reduce pain and adapt load, without stopping movement.
- Strength: progressive work for adductors, abdominals and hip.
- Sport: running, changes of direction, kicking and the actions of your own sport.
- Return: gradual reintroduction to training and then to competition.
Criteria to return to competition
- No or minimal pain in sport-specific actions.
- Good adductor and abdominal strength, balanced between sides.
- Tolerance of sprints, changes of direction and kicks at full intensity.
- Completed full team training with no reaction afterwards.
When to think of another cause
If the pain is more electric in quality or radiates, a nerve may be involved: you can read more about inguinal neuralgia. The hip or a sports hernia should also be considered if progress is poor.
What I do at the clinic
I carry out a full assessment, look at the area with ultrasound and plan a rehabilitation programme with clear progression criteria, adapted to your sport and competition calendar.