ABSTRACT
Hip and groin pain provides a massive challenge for all those involved in the physical preparation and rehabilitation of athletes at all levels. Diagnostically, the region is puzzling due to the complex and overlapping nature of the anatomy, which is further compounded by the fact that there is a poor understanding of the adverse mechanics that predispose the athlete to injury in the first place. On top of this, the nature and significance of what may appear to be ‘pathology’ when assessed radiologically is still unclear. The end result is that the athlete often suffers from inappropriate diagnosis and poor management. Moreover, there is a lack of definitive rehabilitation guidelines and return to play criteria to guide efficient and successful injury management. This in turn leads to prolonged absence from participation and injury recurrence.
