Lumbar Radiculopathy or Athletic Pubalgia

And Effective, Conservative Treatment with Physical Therapy

Up to 18% of athletes present to their physician with groin pain. And this activity-restricting pain is common in athletes from soccer, football, basketball, track-and-field, and tennis. But Athletic Pubalgia, or “Sports Hernia,” a strain or tear of the adductor muscles, can be difficult to diagnose.¹

Ghaly and colleagues reported on one such athlete who underwent laminectomy and discectomy for lumbar radiculopathy, which resulted in no relief.² They recommend an earlier consideration of Sports Hernia,² which can often be treated conservatively with physical therapy, or at least with surgery and post-operative rehabilitation.

Because of the common symptoms of Sports Hernia:

1. “Deep” groin or lower abdominal pain with exertion

2. Pelvic floor weakness

3. Adductor/hip flexor weakness

4. Dysfunction with movement of the pelvic-femoral alignment

pelvic floor physical therapists are uniquely well trained to help address sports hernias.

If you cannot stand for 20 seconds in each condition, you are at great risk for falling. Seek a referral for Balance Rehabilitation, today!

BONUS. Single Leg Stance: If you can stand for 20 sec you’re doing well; repeat these tests on one leg. This more closely mimics walk-ing, which is when many people are at the greatest risk of falling.

Pain in your groin, hip, or pelvis? Consider Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Oklahoma City.

Submitted by Dr. Lauren Collier Peterson, PT, DPT

Clinical Director FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers of Oklahoma City

Dr. Peterson and her staff provide Physical Therapy for patients with pelvic floor dysfunction, imbalance and falls risk, & orthopedic injuries in OKC.

She has treated hundreds of men and women with pelvic floor issues ranging from incontinence and constipation to pain and prolapse. While she has a particular clinical interest in pelvic pain disorders, she wants everyone to enjoy good pelvic health and to know that “Leaks are not normal!”

¹Kachingwe & Grech. (2008). Proposed algorithm for the management of athletes with athletic pubalgia (sports hernia): A case series. JOSPT, 38 (12), 768-783.

²Ghaly, et al. (2019). Athletic pubalgia misdiagnosed as lumbar radiculopathy—A case report. Surgical Neurology International, 10, 1-3.