Groin Pain in the Athlete: Non-Bony Pathology Including Sportsman’s Groin

Groin pain is a common complaint amongst sportsmen and women accounting for nearly 10% of all sports related injuries. This article focuses on non-bony causes of groin pain in sportsmen, particularly upon the condition commonly known as ‘sportsman’s hernia’ or ‘sportsman’s groin’. It also highlights a new concept for the cause of groin pain in that the authors consider that many elite athletes with groin pain have pain arising from their inguinal ligament attachment. A new procedure known as the Lloyd Release Procedure has been specifically developed to treat this cause of groin pain. By performing a laparoscopic release of the inguinal ligament and reinforcing the groin with a mesh also placed laparoscopically, nearly all athletes are rendered pain free and most players can resume their activities within weeks. In a prospective study on over 140 elite athletes undergoing the Lloyd Release Procedure more than 90% of sportsmen returned to their normal sporting activities within four weeks of surgery.