Best Practice Case Studies-Evaluating Groin Pain

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The article from The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons titled "Comprehensive Approach to the Evaluation of Groin Pain," published in September 2013, provides an extensive overview of the diagnostic processes related to groin pain, particularly as it pertains to hip pathology. This condition is prevalent among athletes and individuals who may develop symptomatic hip arthritis, with an estimation that one in four people will experience symptomatic hip arthritis by age 85. Groin injuries are frequent in athletic contexts, accounting for 1 in 20 athletic injuries and 1 in 10 visits to sports medicine centers.<br /><br />The article emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive history and physical examination to effectively evaluate groin pain, considering both musculoskeletal and nonorthopaedic sources. Intra-articular pathologies typically present as anterior groin or inguinal pain, often radiating to the knee, whereas extra-articular conditions may manifest pain relayed to the buttocks or posterior trochanteric region.<br /><br />Key diagnostic steps include discerning between musculoskeletal and nonmusculoskeletal disorders, evaluating the onset, location, and quality of pain, and distinguishing intra- from extra-articular sources. Conditions such as labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement, and groin pain due to neural entrapment are discussed in detail.<br /><br />The document serves as a valuable guide for orthopedic surgeons, recommending specific physical tests, imaging options like MRI, CT, and MR arthrography, and the role of diagnostic injections in the assessment of groin pain. This approach aids in creating a precise differential diagnosis, guiding the clinician toward appropriate treatment pathways and further specialist consultations when necessary.<br /><br />Overall, the article offers a comprehensive investigative framework to aid in the prompt and proficient management of groin pain, combining clinical evaluations with advanced diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing techniques.

Meta Tag

Edition 3rd Edition

Related Case 3rd Edition, CASE 25

Topic Hip

Keywords

3rd Edition, CASE 25

3rd Edition

Hip

groin pain

hip pathology

athletic injuries

diagnostic processes

musculoskeletal disorders

intra-articular pathologies

femoroacetabular impingement

labral tears

MRI imaging

orthopedic evaluation