Adductor Tendinopathy

Bob (not his real name) is an elite level hockey player who sustained a right sided groin injury during a match 2 weeks ago. His pain was spot on the insertion of the adductor longus muscle and he was diagnosed with Adductor Traction Apophysitis. He did ice (see RICE treatment) regularly and I did myofascial release and taught him some stretching and strengthening exercises. He returned symptom free after 3 days.

Last Sunday he had a tough match and started feeling the pull in the right groin during the last quarter of the match. He was taken out of the match and we immediately iced his injury and gave him some fluids (sports drinks). This time the injury had traversed along the adductor longus muscle to the muscle belly. I asked him to lie down on his back (with knees flexed) and he had pain squeezing my fist between his knees. (The last time he could squeeze the whole length of my arm without much pain). He underwent acupuncture and massage to release his muscle yesterday and felt much better. He continued to do the exercises I have given him earlier.

I spoke to him again about taking the necessary precautions with adequate warm-up and stretching. I reminded him that he needed to do his own rehabilitation program to ensure that he strengthens not only the hip adductors but also the hip abductors, hip flexors and extensors, maintains core stability and general fitness (hydrotherapy). If his condition was not treated adequately, it may persist with persistent groin pain and restriction of hip mobility and loss of muscle power in sprinting and jumping.