Gilmore's Groin

Hi all
Im just back from the doctors and been told that i have "Gilmore's Groin", iv been referred now to a physio but i got the impression that its more than likely i will require surgery to fix the problem.
I have been looking through the internet but cant find anything that doesnt refer to surgery, so i was wondering if anyone has any information on Gilmore's groin and how long im looking at being out.
I appreciate any information people have.
Thanks!

Hey there,

Have a read of this article on Gilmore Groin if you haven't come across it already

you can copy and paste it in the address bar and it should ask you to download the article for free.

<cite>www.jospt.org/members/getfile.asp?id=1179

</cite><cite>basically you can look to return to sport as at 6-10 weeks. Depends on the surgeon's preferences.

Hope this helps.
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</cite>

There are quite a few things that can cause groin pain in the athlete and surgery is not always the best answer. If it is indeed Gilmores Groin then surgical intervention can have positive effect.
The confusing thing about the condition is the potential for overlap of many other conditions in the same region. It is also commonly referred to athletic pubalgia, sports hernia, or groin dysruption. The blanket term that covers all conditions is "Chronic recalcitrant groin pain"

It is very important to seek multiple opinions before continuing with a proceedure (especially considering the complexity of this proceedure) as it is hard to accurately diagnose the condition. Hard to see (if at all) on MRI due to the weak wall opposed to an actual visible hernia.

Summary: Confusion for you. Best thing is to seek another opinion and dont mention gilmores groin to the next doc. Let them make up their own mind. PT can help the stabilising structures around the pelvis sometimes with suprising results.
Good luck.

I'd like to thank you both for your replies, they are much appreciated.
The document attached helped me get a much better understanding of what i may be dealing with and i am going to seek another oppinion as suggested.

Im finding the pain is quite minimal now but i do get sharp pains now and again, especially if sudden movements or prolonged walking. I am still waiting for my physio appointment so hopefully il learn more once iv seen them.

For others reading this who think they may have something similar id strongly advice you to seek a professional oppinion as soon as the injury occurs, as the waiting list for both the physio and operation is quite long, roughly 3 weeks for the physio to make contact and iv been told a few months for the op. For me this is quite depressing as i waited 2 months, and am missing my hobbies (worried about the up-comming ski season now)

again, thanks for your replies!

Hi Just Wondering, have you seen any improvement since your last post?

I have an interest as I have developed something similar if not yet formally diagnosed ... but it was caused by kicking a muddy ball about 3 months ago when not properly warmed up and the symptoms are exactly as described under the 'Gilmores' headings. I have groin pain (not excruciating) when trying to sprint or do sit ups which also pulls on my stomach. I haven't even tried to kick a ball with the problem (right) leg.

My interest is similar to your original post ... the only solutions discussed involve surgery. But in my case the above symptoms through the use of ice and stretching etc are slowly going away. I have started adductor exercises (eg squeezing a ball between knees) without this causing any problems and I can play tennis now without problems except with the most extreme 'lunges' for the ball.

So, my question is with time will the body solve it's own problems here?

Hi PGSW14, I received an email alerting me of your message. It has been 3 years since my injury so I may be of little help.

I did not require surgery in the end which may be inspiring for you. It sounds like you have done similar and just waited it out for a few months and "getting by". I eventually went to physio which fixed it for me over a few months. I would recommend you seek a physio and continue with stretches for as long as possible. My physio, and people on this, agreed that Gilmore groin is very hard to diagnose. I believe it was likely that I suffered a large tear in the groin which was fixed without the need of surgery.

Going by your summary It sounds like you had a similar large tear of the groin and I think continued exercise will solve your problem but I am no expert on the matter and if you have continual pain then refer to a doctor/ physio. I had pain when doing severe lunges for a while afterwards as well but this has all but gone, I do occasionally get a twinge but I take that as normal aches and pains from sports.

I hope this was of some help to you. If you would like to know anything further ask away.

Just Wondering

Many thanks for your reply, yes it does inspire me! Also I do have a physio.

Incidentally I have also considered getting either an X-Ray MRI or CT scan to try and see if this shows more of the type/extent of the problem and wondered if you or anyone you know considered taking such a step?