Hip and groin injuries are common in athletes
who take part in high level sports. Adductor muscle tendon injuries represent
a small but important number of these injuries. Avulsion of the
tendons attached to the symphysis pubis has previously been described:
these can be managed both operatively and non-operatively. We describe
an uncommon variant of this injury, namely complete avulsion of
the adductor sleeve complex: this includes adductor longus, pectineus
and rectus abdominis. We go on to describe a surgical technique
which promotes a full return to the pre-injury level of sporting
activity. Over a period of ten years, 15 high-level athletes with an MRI-confirmed
acute adductor complex avulsion injury (six to 34 days old) underwent
surgical repair. The operative procedure consisted of anatomical
re-attachment of the avulsed tissues in each case and mesh reinforcement
of the posterior inguinal wall in seven patients. All underwent a
standardised rehabilitation programme, which was then individualised
to be sport-specific. One patient developed a superficial wound infection, which was
successfully treated with antibiotics. Of the 15 patients, four
complained of transient local numbness which resolved in all cases.
All patients (including seven elite athletes) returned to their
previous level of participation in sport. Cite this article:
Hip and groin injuries are common in athletes participating in high level sports. Adductor muscle tendon injuries represent a small but important number of these injuries. Avulsion injuries involving tendons attaching to the symphysis pubis have previously been described and can be managed both operatively and non-operatively. The aim is to describe a rare variant of this injury; complete avulsion of the adductor sleeve complex including adductor longus, pectineus and rectus abdominus. A surgical technique is then outlined which promotes a full return to pre-injury level of sporting activity. Fifteen high level athletes with an MRI confirmed acute adductor complex avulsion injury (6–34 days) were identified from the institution's sports injury database over a 10 year period. All underwent surgical repair. The operative procedure comprised anatomical attachment of the avulsed tissues in all cases (plus mesh reinforcement of the inguinal wall in 7 patients). All underwent a standard format of rehabilitation which was then individualised to be sport specific.Introduction
Patients/Materials & Methods
Adductor muscle and tendon injuries are commonly seen in sport. Complete adductor avulsions have been described and can be managed non-operatively or operatively. A rare variant of this injury is the complete avulsion of the adductor complex with the pectineus and rectus abdominus amounting to a complete sleeve avulsion from the pubis. This is a severe injury that is increasingly recognised due to improved imaging and lower diagnostic threshold. We describe the surgical management of twelve athletes with this severe injury.Background
Purpose
One patient deceased, one patient developed Alzheimer dementia, leaving 34 patients available for follow-up. They completed the SF-36 questionnaire and the Simple shoulder test. They were clinically reviewed and scored with the Constant-Murley score. All 34 had complete radiographic work-up (x-ray; ultrasound) preoperatively and at final follow up.
Mean operating time was 35 minutes (SD: +/− 12.33). There were no surgical complications. Postoperatively, there was an uneventful recovery in all patients. At final follow-up, two patients were revised to a RSA. One patient was revised after 9 months because of continuous pain and loss of function. The second patient developed a complete osteonecrosis and was revised after one year. The 32 remaining patients had a preoperative Constant-Murley score adjusted for age and gender of 34,8. This improved to an average of 84 at final follow up. The simple shoulder test improved from an average of 1,8 to 8,4. The average decrease of subacromial space was 2,34 mm and the loss of glenohumeral joint space was 0,57. Finally, the preoperative grade of arthrosis was 0,46 compared to a postoperative average of 1,1. At final follow-up, 85% (27/32) were either satisfied or very satisfied with the result. 12,5% (4/32) appreciated the result as only fair. 2,5% (1/32) was dissatisfied, but didn’t consider revision surgery.