Surgical management of athletic pubalgia

Athletic pubalgia is chronic groin pain caused by repetitive stress to inguinal and lower abdominal musculature during strenuous sports activities. The condition can be difficult to manage in high-level athletes, resulting in significant disability and missed playing time. A thorough history and physical examination is the key to differentiating athletic pubalgia from other causes of groin pain. Appropriate physical therapy can resolve symptoms in many cases. However, if conservative measures are unsuccessful, surgical management may be considered. Operative management in some studies has resulted in a high return to preinjury level of activity in carefully selected individuals. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.