www.nhgi.co.uk, Northern Hip & Groin Institute, Joint Replacement Knee Hip, Arthroscopy, Computer Assisted, Sports, Schilders, Kluge, Leeds, Bradford, Yorkshire

Chronic adductor injury

Patients complain about pain of gradual onset over the inside of the thigh. The pain can be felt where the muscle or the tendon attaches to the pubic bone or a few centimeters further down at the musculo tendinous junction. Sprinting and accelerating or kicking a ball straight and with the inside are painful.

We use a unique MRI protocol to investigate adductor injuries. The MRI scan will help to stage the injury and to decide which treatment is required.

Treatment can be difficult and consists of an adductor stretching and strengthening programme. Injections into the pubic cleft might be indicated to alleviate the symptoms. The picture illustrates x-ray control of a pubic cleft injection.

Historically tenotomies have been performed for this condition. However, loss of strength might occur which is not acceptable for athletes. We use a partial release which has enabled many athletes to return to their pre-injury level of activity within 6 weeks after surgery.