Groin Pain in Sportspersons

Groin pain is common in high-level sportspeople. The causes vary depending on whether the pain presents in a runner or a footballer. 

Hip area

Hip Labral tear

Femoral Neck Stress Fracture

Referred Pain from Back

Lumbar Intervertebral Disc prolapse

Sacro-iliac joint dysfunction 

Groin/Pelvis

Pubic Bone Stress Injury (aka Osteitis Pubis or Athletic Pubalgia in USA)

Groin Disruption (aka Gilmore’s Groin, Sportsman’s hernia) 


The cause is frequently misdiagnosed with patients rushed for surgery that they don’t really need. A few months later the pain returns. It is important to get the diagnosis right and rehabilitate correctly. 

© LEON CREANEY 2020