Brief Medical History Overview
Mystery Groin Pain-- Sports Dr. Stumped
My case is currently being reviewed at a sports medicine conference. The sports medicine doctor I was seeing is out of ideas. Any suggestions you might have for recovery would be great.
My background:
I am a runnning/cross country coach, 34, who has not been able to run since April of 2009 due to ever increasing groin pain. I used to run 20-30 miles a week and ran a half marathon in late March. It made for a mentally challenging cross country season this year, but I am determined to find an answer.
My symptoms:
The pain in my groin was first diagnosed as a strained adducter caused by overuse. (Although in looking at my running log, it might have been from deep lunges during a workout.) No sports hernia. The pain has gotten increasingly more painful the less I have pushed it. I used to "test" the injury once a week. Initially I could run 3 miles once a week before the pain. The last time I tested it I could run only a few minutes. I have not run for 6 weeks to "test" it any longer. I have pain walking long distances, mowing the lawn, etc. I have pain in the morning. It feels like a pitch when I twist over to get out of bed in my groin. I can't kick a soccer ball or do any quick movements (A challenge when I am also the asst. soccer coach for my 5 year old son). Swimming and biking are okay.
What I have tried:
I have done PT stretches for 10 weeks, ultrasound therapy (twice a week), deep tissue massage, hot baths, daily heat pad 10 minutes in AM and PM. I do low impact cross training. I even tried one of those small hand held ultrasound machines (sent it back). Did an xray (no arthritis, no fracture). Did an
MRI of groin. Groin actually looks good.
Possible theories:
L1 or L2 vertabrae issues? Doing an MRI of lower back (Will have results in a week). Seems like a long shot since there is no tingling or numbness. Pain only present when in use along the left inner thigh/glute. It looks and feels like an adducter strain yet the MRI suggests otherwise. This is what has the sports doctor stumped. When I squeese a basketball between knees I definitely feel it. If I hop and cross over, the pain is there. If I stand up from a kneeling position on my left leg, it's painful. When I do hip flexor leg stretches on my side and turn over, the pain is also there. Did a gait analysis with PT and things look good except for slight pronation on the left side. I wear Asics 2140s to correct this problem. Have for a long time. Running looks pretty good on a treadmill.
Possible therapies?
Have not tried the graston technique or acupunture. Not sure what to do next. Have tried lots of stretches (Still stretch and apply heat two times a day). I follow PT to the letter. (theraband, foam roller, etc.) The therapist said she was out of ideas and suggested I just don't "test" my running once a week. It's been 6 weeks since I have. No improvement. If anything, the pain in the morning seems increased. Would love suggestions on the next step.
Thanks in advance.
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