[Sportsmen's groin : Definition, differential diagnosis and treatment]

Groin pain in athletes is a common problem and can have extensive consequences for professional athletes. The anatomical and functional complexity of the groin as well as radiating pain from remote anatomical regions can make the differential diagnosis a challenge and requires special attention. As there are a wide variety of possible causes for groin pain, a multidisciplinary approach is required. The treating orthopedic surgeon needs to pay special attention to pre-arthritic hip deformities to avoid irreversible damage of the hip joint. By a meticulous patient history and identification of the pain character, followed by clinical, sonographic and radiographic investigations, a differential diagnosis can usually be achieved. Besides typical orthopedic causes, pathological findings particularly in the area of the groin need to be considered, clarified and adequately treated; therefore, a clear terminology of the different diseases is necessary. Sportsmen's groin is not a hernia but should be perceived as a separate entity due to its typical pain character and detection of a measurable protrusion of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal by ultrasound.