An 18-year review of sports groin injuries in the elite hockey player: clinical presentation, new diagnostic imaging, treatment, and results.
OBJECTIVE
This is a retrospective study of 98 hockey players who underwent 107 surgical explorations for refractory lower abdominal and groin pain that prevented them from playing hockey at an elite level.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review combined with a complete follow-up examination and questionnaire.


METHODS
The players were treated in an ambulatory care university tertiary care centre.


METHODS
A total of 98 elite hockey players underwent 107 surgical groin explorations for intractable groin pain preventing their play. Follow-up was 100%.


METHODS
Each player had repair of a tear of the external oblique muscle and fascia reinforced by a Goretex mesh. The ilioinguinal nerve was resected in each patient.


METHODS
There was absence of groin pain on the return to play hockey at an elite level.


RESULTS
In all, 97 of 98 players returned to play after the surgical procedures. No morbidity was attributed to division of the ilioinguinal nerve.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical exploration of the involved groin with repair of the torn external oblique muscle and division of the ilioinguinal nerve has resulted in resolution of refractory groin pain and return to play in the elite hockey player. The surgical procedure is associated with a low morbidity. Recent observations on dynamic ultrasound show promise in accurately diagnosing this injury.
Brown
Rea A
RA
Montreal General Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Mascia
Anthony
A
Kinnear
Douglas G
DG
Lacroix
Vincent
V
Feldman
Liane
L
Mulder
David S
DS
D000328:Adult; D006119:Groin / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods