In 1980, Consultant Surgeon Mr Jerry Gilmore recognized and identified a medical condition now known as Gilmore’s groin. This condition stands out as a prominent cause of persistent, chronic groin pain.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Gilmore’s groin gradually develop and worsen over time, and commonly include:
- Increased groin pain during activities like running, sprinting, twisting, and turning.
- Stiffness or soreness after training sessions.
- Groin pain when turning or exiting a vehicle the day after training or playing.
- Groin pain triggered by coughing or sneezing.
According to Mr Jerry Gilmore, “While 30% of athletes report sudden onset injuries, the majority describe it as a gradual overuse injury.”
What is Gilmore’s groin?
Gilmore’s Groin, also known as Sportsman’s Hernia, athletic pubalgia, slapshot gut, or sports hernia, is often incorrectly associated with a hernia. However, a true Gilmore’s Groin does not involve the presence of a lump.
According to Mr Jerry Gilmore, “Is it a hernia? There is NOT a lump, and thus it is not considered a hernia.”
This condition, alternatively known as groin disruption or sportsman’s groin, primarily affects athletes who engage in sports putting immense strain on the groin and pelvic area, like soccer, football, or rugby.
Due to its complexity, Gilmore’s Groin was not fully understood until recently, leading to misdiagnoses as groin strains or hernias in many cases.
Anatomy
Gilmore’s Groin injury occurs at the junction of the leg and torso, specifically at the aponeurosis where the abdominal muscles (Internal obliques, External obliques, and Transversus abdominis) converge to form the inguinal ligament.
Within the external oblique muscle, there is an archway that allows passage for several nerves and vessels. In Gilmore’s Groin, a tear in the groin muscles leads to the widening of this archway. Subsequent tears in the oblique muscles cause them to separate and move away from the inguinal ligament. As a result, the transverse abdominis muscle is left unsupported.
Treatment
While it is possible to continue training with Gilmore’s Groin, the condition tends to progressively worsen over time.
Conservative treatment methods primarily focus on strengthening the pelvic region muscles, with an emphasis on core strengthening.
If you suspect you have Gilmore’s Groin, it is recommended to seek assistance from a sports injury professional or surgeon who can provide an accurate diagnosis.
Surgery
When a thorough rehabilitation program fails to deliver satisfactory outcomes, surgical intervention becomes a potential necessity for treating this specific groin condition. Generally, such surgical procedures have recorded a high rate of success.
After surgery, a rehabilitation period of 4 to 6 weeks is anticipated before returning to sports activities. The rehabilitation process aims to gradually enhance the strength and flexibility of the pelvic muscles. It is important to avoid sudden twisting and turning movements that could exacerbate the injury.
Physiotherapy
The approach to physiotherapy for this specific groin condition has seen significant evolution over time. In the beginning stages, only professional athletes, thanks to their frequent access to physiotherapy, typically chose to undergo surgery.
The key to a successful recovery after surgery lies in rehabilitation, with the patient’s preoperative fitness level playing a significant role in the speed of their recovery.
