Manual or exercise therapy for long-standing adductor-related groin pain: a randomised controlled clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
A multi-modal treatment program (MMT) is more effective than exercise therapy (ET) for the treatment of long-standing adductor-related groin pain.


METHODS
Single blinded, prospective, randomised controlled trial.


METHODS



METHODS
Athletes with pain at the proximal insertion of the adductor muscles on palpation and resisted adduction for at least two months.


METHODS
ET: a home-based ET and a structured return to running program with instruction on three occasions from a sports physical therapist. MMT: Heat, Van den Akker manual therapy followed by stretching and a return to running program.


METHODS
time to return to full sports participation.


METHODS
objective outcome score and the visual analogue pain score during sports activities. Outcome was assessed at 0, 6, 16 and 24 weeks.


RESULTS
Athletes who received MMT returned to sports quicker (12.8 weeks, SD 6.0) than athletes in the ET group (17.3 weeks, SD 4.4. p = 0.043). Only 50-55% of athletes in both groups made a full return to sports. There was no difference between the groups in objective outcome (p = 0.72) or VAS during sports (p = 0.12).


CONCLUSIONS
The multi-modal program resulted in a significantly quicker return to sports than ET plus return to running but neither treatment was very effective.
The Hague Medical Centre, Antoniushove Hospital, Department of Sports Medicine, Burgemeester, Leidschendam, The Netherlands. a.weir@mchaaglanden.nl
A
A
Weir
J A C G
JA
Jansen
I G L
IG
van de Port
H B A
HB
Van de Sande
J L
JL
Tol
F J G
FJ
Backx
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations; D010000:Osteitis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010146:Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000534:rehabilitation