Regenerative injection of elite athletes with career-altering chronic groin pain who fail conservative treatment: a consecutive case series.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain multisport and long-term outcome data from the use of regenerative injection therapy on career-threatened athletes.


METHODS
Consecutive enrollment of elite performance-limited athletes with chronic groin/abdominal pain who failed a conservative treatment trial. The treatment consisted of monthly injections of 12.5% dextrose in 0.5% lidocaine in abdominal and adductor attachments on the pubis. Injection of the nociceptive source was confirmed by repetition of resistive testing 5 mins after injection.


RESULTS
Seventy-five athletes were enrolled. Seventy-two athletes (39 rugby, 29 soccer, and 4 other) completed the minimum two-treatment protocol. Their data revealed a mean groin pain history of 11 (3-60) mos. Average number of treatments received was 3 (1-6). Individual paired t tests for Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of pain with sport (VAS Pain) and Nirschl pain phase scale measured at 0 and an average of 26 (6-73) mos indicated VAS Pain improvement of 82% (P < 10) and Nirschl pain phase scale improvement of 78% (P < 10). Six athletes did not improve following regenerative injection therapy treatment, and the remaining 66 returned to unrestricted sport. Return to unrestricted sport occurred in an average of 3 (1-5) mos.


CONCLUSIONS
Athletes returned to full elite-level performance in a timely and sustainable manner after regenerative injection therapy using dextrose.
Topol
Gastón Andrés
GA
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Jaime Slullitel Rosario Orthopedic and Trauma Institute, Argentina.
Reeves
K Dean
KD
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002356:Cartilage / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006119:Groin / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008022:Ligaments / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012038:Regeneration; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy*
D005947:Glucose