Complex Groin Injuries

Specialist care for complex groin injuries (PLAC injury/sportsman’s hernia/gilmore’s groin)

A thorough assessment

See a consultant with experience in assessing complex groin injuries and understanding how it affects your movement, comfort and everyday life.

 

Clear, trusted guidance

We’ll listen to your concerns, arrange any scans you need and explain the results clearly.

 

Care shaped around you

Together, we’ll build a treatment plan around your diagnosis, your goals and what matters most to you.

 

What is complex groin injury?

Complex groin injury is a term used for persistent groin pain linked to injury or weakness where the lower abdominal wall meets the pelvis. It is often associated with an injury involving sudden, intense over-stretching of the tendons at the front of the pelvis or groin, causing injury or tearing of them, usually associated with a popping sensation. Often the acute injury will settle down, but patients can still experience a nagging low grade pain preventing them from returning to their usual sporting or recreational activities.

What causes it?

There may be more than one cause or contributing factor. These can include:

  • Intense twisting
  • Sudden changes of direction
  • Kicking and repeated loading during sport
  • A strain or tear involving muscles, tendons or ligaments around the groin
  • Structural problems of the hip (e.g. hip impingement)

 

What are the symptoms?

Everyone experiences symptoms differently, but you may notice:

  • Severe groin pain when the injury occurs
  • Pain that settles with rest but returns during twisting, turning or kicking
  • Persistent pain that limits training or sport
  • A popping noise/feeling at the time of injury

 

How is it diagnosed?

Assessment may involve an orthopaedic or groin specialist and a physiotherapist. A specialised MRI scan and dynamic ultrasound can help identify the structures involved and exclude other causes of pain.

We’ll explain any tests clearly and talk you through what the results mean for you.

 

Contact our appointments team
What is complex groin injury?

Treatment routes for Complex groin injury

  • A short period of rest and regular ice in the early stage
  • Pain relief or anti-inflammatory medicine, if advised
  • Rehabilitation to rebuild abdominal and inner-thigh strength and flexibility
  • A gradual return to sport

 

Recovery goals after treatment for complex groin injuries

Early recovery

Goals:

Reduce pain and swelling Protect the affected area Keep moving safely as advised

As your symptoms improve

Goals:

Restore comfortable movement Rebuild strength and control Return gradually to everyday tasks

Returning to full activity

Goals:

Return to suitable exercise or sport Regain confidence in your movement Continue rehabilitation or monitoring as advised

Working with hip professionals and teams

Our hip specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their hips. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.

 

The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.

Working with hip professionals and teams

How to pay

We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.

Private medical insurance

Private medical insurance

If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.

Paying for yourself

Paying for yourself

You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.

 

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