[Sports injuries and overuse syndromes of the groin]

Injuries and overuse complaints of the groin are a common issue in competitive and professional sports. Clinically, they typically present as pulling to stabbing pains that radiate to the inner thigh and the outer side of the scrotum. Sports that involve rapid changes of direction, sudden accelerations, and strong rotational movements of the torso are at particular risk for the development of groin complaints. Diagnosis is based on clinical, sonographic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations, and can be quite challenging, requiring an interdisciplinary approach. An inguinal hernia should primarily be ruled out. Other causes of groin pain may include osteitis pubis, hip joint impingement, muscle injuries in the groin, thigh, or abdominal regions, and nerve compression syndromes. In most cases, conservative therapy is indicated and successful in the long term. For persistent complaints, the athlete's groin can be treated through stabilization of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal and local neurolysis.