Frustrated footballer/runner-Gilmore Groin

LadFromLimerick

Hi all, I’ve been having a problem with my groin for the past 5 months since I ran a marathon, probably caused by overuse as I had been playing a lot of football at the same time as the marathon training (stupid I know, lesson learnt, believe me). At the moment I can run in straight lines without too much trouble but when I try to play any bit of football (2 or 3 times since October) I’m in pain for days after, it affects the entire pelvic area and lower back. I went to a physio and he reckons it could be Gilmore Groin and suggested core stability exercises. I tried this for a few months (aswell as aqua jogging) but have seen no improvement. I’ve done some research and apparently these exercises are only a temporary solution anyway and the only way to repair this type of injury is surgery. Any one know how would I go about looking in to this surgery?
I’d be really grateful for any advice, I’m absolutely desperate to sort this out.
Many Thanks.

Hanley

LadFromLimerick wrote: »

Hi all, I’ve been having a problem with my groin for the past 5 months since I ran a marathon, probably caused by overuse as I had been playing a lot of football at the same time as the marathon training (stupid I know, lesson learnt, believe me). At the moment I can run in straight lines without too much trouble but when I try to play any bit of football (2 or 3 times since October) I’m in pain for days after, it affects the entire pelvic area and lower back. I went to a physio and he reckons it could be Gilmore Groin and suggested core stability exercises. I tried this for a few months (aswell as aqua jogging) but have seen no improvement. I’ve done some research and apparently these exercises are only a temporary solution anyway and the only way to repair this type of injury is surgery. Any one know how would I go about looking in to this surgery?
I’d be really grateful for any advice, I’m absolutely desperate to sort this out.
Many Thanks.

First thing's first. Go to another physio and get a second opinion before you go getting yourself cut open. If they agree with the original diagnosis, then ask for a referal to a consultant/surgeon. If you're in Limerick, try and find whoever the Munster rugby team uses as their surgeon. You might not be able to get him, but it's worth a shot.

smashey

LadFromLimerick,

Please do not post in coloured text. Believe it or not, some people are colour blind.

Chieftan Scribe

Seriously, get an MRI as soon as possible. This will show up anything that is up with the groin. Obviously a physio can tell you what it could be through your symptoms but an MRI is really the only way to really know. Again get a second opinion as physios sometimes give completely varying views. Like Hanley said, try to get in touch with a physio who works with a top team, Munster, Kerry footballers etc. as these type of injuries and associated rehab would be relatively common.

Also rest up until you see physio/get MRI as this injury tends to flare up quite badly, it's not something you want to wreck altogether

BJohnson

Hi there,

I know of a guy that treats these sorts of things in Limerick. I see these sorts of injuries on a regular basis, and I'd be happy to refer you to someone in your area. PM me if you want his details. It really doesn't sound like something that requires surgery.

Regards,

Brian

dannyd20

I'm in a similar situation as you OP, though your pain sounds worse. I feel stiff and sore for up to a day after playing a match or training (involving shuttle runs etc). I don't get back pain. I initially went to a physio with this over a year ago and a possible diagnosis offered was Gilmores Groin or some other groin disruption. It is an injury caused by overtraining or overuse of muscles, specifically those involved in kicking. My physio recommended a complete break from training, followed by core and aqua work to manage the injury and build up the surrounding area.

It didn't really work for me, I'm not in any worse pain than I was a year ago but I'm still suffering with the injury. I tend to just play and train through the pain - not the best course of action for me long term! I've been back to the physio several times, was actually there this week and considering really trying to tackle this problem once and for all in the off-season (summer). I am getting my GP to refer me for a MRI on the affected area which I will then take to a consultant recommended by my physio - afaik there are one or two experts on this type of injury based in Dublin. Surgery could be an option but it is not necessarily going to fix the problem, it really depends on what the scan shows. Success with surgery is not guaranteed. There is also a lengthy rehab phase (2-3months) following surgery.

So your next steps I guess would be either to see another physio (as Hanley suggested) or go ahead and get your GP to refer you for a MRI. (A physio can't refer you for a scan directly, they can refer you to a consultant who would see you for a minute then send you for a scan and tell you to come back)

Good luck

You might find these links useful

Gilmore Clinic London
Physioroom.com (includes rehab sample programme)

seamusmacspud

hi all fellow groin strugglers !

I'm going through same pain at moment and have been since training in muck and crap in january..I have complete faith in my physical therapist in athlone area and altough I now live in kildare I regularily go to him for sessions...Was down with him on saturday and he reckons what he did 2 wks previous should have fixed it....he told me he can do no more for me until i see specialist (which I'm lucky enough to have got this thurdsday in galway with a dr sandys in bon secour )

I know rest is not fixing my issue so fingers crossed consultant can fix it . even if i need op i'll do it as consenus seems to be that rest never works and injections only work in small amount of cases

siochain

yeah had it years ago when I was playing rugby, as said above you need and MRI I was give the option of surgery or rest. I took six months of a break from cardio and lower body exercises. If nearly killed me to take a break as I'm bit of an addict. Only good thing that came out it was I had a good few extra inches of muscle on chest, back, shoulders etc. due to all the upper body weights and no cardio for 6 months.

wardie

Hiya,

I had this most of last year and it got worse in august., Gave it 2 months rest but still the same when I went back so went to see the consultant.

Got an appointment with Gerry mcEntee and he said surgery at this stage the only real option as rest did no good.

Got the op done about 2 months ago weeks ago and feels grand. finished out the 8 week programme and statred back my first football training last week.

seamusmacspud

had my consultantion yesterday..have to have mri but he's confident it not gilmore's groin...he reckons i may just need 2 cortisone injections as prior to seeing mri he thinks what i have is to do with psoas bursa muscles within hip ! a ilittle bit of info goes a long way to putting mind at ease..

Elnin09

Lads,

Im in the same boat as yourselves. I first felt a pain on the left side of my pelvis about 2 years ago. Played for a while after and the pain soon spread the width of my abdomen. I couldnt even lift my leags with the pain. I eventually got referred to Gerry McEntee and he diagnosed it as Gilmores Groin. Went and got an mri which verified the problem but also showed alot of fluid sittin at the base of my pelvis which was leaking through the tears in the adducter muscles. He the sent me to Pat O'Neill who got x -rays taken of my pelvis which showed that the bones at the base of my pelvis had worn away. He said i could get bones fused together but he advised me not to do it as i would have back problems later on in life. They wouldnt even perform the groin surgery to fix the tears in the muscle. I eventually persuaded them to give me injections (3 in total ) which were ok for about a month or so. I started taking pain killers before games but only lasted 3 games (after resting for 6mts).

Is there any other groin specialists out there that i could see as i know the groin surgery should sort the pain out and i can get back to playing ball.

Appreciate any help or advice.

Based in Dublin.

imissfootball

It is such a relief to hear other people explain the symptoms i've been goin through for the past 12-15mths, pain in lower back, hips and groins...I originally thought the back was to blame for all my problems and went to various osteopaths, chiropractors etc but all the strecthing resting and core work hasn't seemed to work for me at all...

I've an appointment to see Gery McEntee next week and am hoping that he can shed some light on the situation, from what others have been saying he's knows his stuff when it comes to groin problems..

Does anyone know how long the wait is to get an mri if thats what he advices when i see him and can these be done in any of the major hospitals around?

Its amazing how this sh*t can get to you, miss those injury free days!!

LadFromLimerick

I have an appointment with Gerry McEntee next month so would be interested to hear how you get on with him next week, best of luck.
Great name by the way, I know what you mean, I miss football too!

imissfootball

Will do mate, though i imagine he's just gona send me off to get an mri scan and come back after, money well spent eh...

Shimmy

After suffering the same symptoms as the above threads for the last 15 months I finally met Mr McEntee today. Have pencilled myself in for a Gilmore Groin operation in the coming weeks and I'm just wondering how long I will need to take off work. None of the Insurance Company 6 weeks and all that crap. I work in an office environment and as soon as I can walk I'm thinking I could go back to work.

The thing is, it caught me on the hop today how soon they can do the op and I haven't given any notice for holidays in work.

Had all the same symptoms as above, but the one thing I would test myself on everytime I was pain free was to run up the stairs 2 steps at a time. That always brought the twinge right back again.

Fills me with confidence to read Dr McEntee's name so much on these threads.

So from the people who have had the op, all recovery advice would be greatly appreciated.

smashey

Right, this thread is breaching forum rules and site rules and we don't like the way it's going.

Locked.