Treatment of athletic pubalgia in Beirut

What is pubalgia?

Pubalgia is a complex musculoskeletal pathology that affects the pubic region, an anatomical area grouping together tendinous, articular, muscular, neurological and bony structures. It frequently occurs in athletes practising activities involving rapid changes of direction, sudden accelerations or repetitive movements, such as football, hockey or rugby.

Epidemiology of pubalgia

• Men practising pivoting sports (football, hockey) are twice as much at risk as women.
• Adductor-related pubalgia is the most common form (68%), followed by iliopsoas-related pubalgia (12%).
• Frequent recurrence: a history of pubalgia multiplies the risk of recurrence by 2.4.

Classification and symptoms of pubalgia

The international classification (Doha Agreement meeting - 2015) distinguishes four main types:

Adductor-related pubalgia

Tendinous or muscular pathologies of the hip adductors. Pain around the proximal insertion of the adductor longus, sometimes radiating towards the medial aspect of the thigh. Pain is often exacerbated by adduction movements or adductor strengthening exercises.

Iliopsoas-related pubalgia

Injury of the iliopsoas tendon or muscle. Pain at the anterior and lateral aspect of the thigh, often felt during resisted hip flexion or stretching of the flexors. Sensation of discomfort in prolonged flexion positions, for example while sitting.

Inguinal forms

Pathologies affecting the inguinal region, including inguinal hernias. Pain localised in the inguinal region, aggravated by physical activity, coughing or contraction of the abdominal muscles. Increased sensitivity on palpation of the lower abdominal wall is frequently observed.

Pubic forms

Injury of the pubic symphysis or surrounding bony structures. Pain localised over the pubic symphysis during movements involving the muscles of the pubic region.

Risk factors of athletic pubalgia

Modifiable intrinsic factors

• Weakness of the hip adductors.
• Imbalance in the adductor/abductor ratio (ideally ≥ 0.9 to prevent pubalgia).

Non-modifiable intrinsic factors

• History of pubalgia.
• Morphological factors (dysplasia, bony asymmetry).

Modifiable extrinsic factors

• Excessive training load.
• Absence of specific exercises for the adductors and hip flexors.

Management and treatment of athletic pubalgia

Conservative treatment

• Targeted active rehabilitation: adductor strengthening (e.g. Copenhagen Adduction Exercise), optimisation of the coordination of interarticular movements to reduce excessive tensions at the pubic region.
• Manual therapy and osteopathy: techniques to improve joint mobility and reduce pain, elimination of postural imbalances and adaptations of the lower limbs, pelvis and spine.

Average duration of return to sport: 12 weeks. An associated tendinopathy may prolong this duration and requires simultaneous management.

Surgical treatment

• Indicated for certain inguinal forms (e.g. hernias or weakness of the abdominal wall).
• Recurrences.

Faster return to sport: 4 to 6 weeks post-intervention.

Prevention

• Specific programmes for adductor strengthening (e.g. Copenhagen Adductor Strengthening Program).
• Monitoring of training load and planning of active rest.
• Biomechanical optimisation through mobility and strengthening exercises.