Hip and groin injuries in athletes range from labral tears and adductor strains through to stress fractures. Accurate diagnosis is essential as many conditions in this region can mimic each other.
(03) 9573 9659
Hip and groin injuries are common in athletes across a wide range of sports, particularly those involving high-velocity kicking, rapid changes of direction or repetitive hip flexion. The hip is a complex region with multiple potential sources of pain, and accurate diagnosis is essential — many conditions in this area can mimic each other, and treating the wrong source of pain produces poor outcomes.
The acetabular labrum is a ring of cartilage that deepens the hip socket and contributes to joint stability. Labral tears can occur from repetitive impingement, underlying dysplasia or acute trauma. Symptoms typically include groin pain, a clicking or catching sensation in the hip, and pain with prolonged sitting or deep hip flexion. Labral tears frequently occur alongside impingement or dysplasia, and treating the labrum alone without addressing the underlying mechanical cause is unlikely to produce lasting relief.
Adductor strains and chronic groin injuries are common in kicking sports and sports involving rapid direction changes. These can be difficult to distinguish from intra-articular pathology and require a systematic clinical assessment. Osteitis pubis, in particular, frequently occurs alongside underlying hip impingement or dysplasia and should prompt a thorough evaluation of the hip joint.
Proximal hamstring tendinopathy or avulsion injuries present as deep buttock or posterior hip pain, particularly with running and sitting. Avulsion injuries in adolescents require prompt assessment as they may require surgical fixation.
Stress fractures of the femoral neck occur in endurance athletes or those who have increased their training load rapidly. Early diagnosis is critical — a complete femoral neck fracture is a serious complication that can have significant long-term consequences. Any athlete with persistent groin or hip pain following a change in training load should be assessed promptly.
Snapping hip syndrome occurs when tendons flick over bony prominences around the hip, producing an audible or palpable snap. It can be external (the iliotibial band over the greater trochanter) or internal (the iliopsoas tendon over the hip). It is often painless, but when painful it can be addressed through physiotherapy or, in persistent cases, hip arthroscopy.
Mr Balakumar assesses sports-related hip injuries with a detailed history, physical examination and appropriate imaging, which may include X-rays, MRI and in some cases CT. Treatment depends on the specific diagnosis and ranges from physiotherapy and load management to cortisone or PRP injection, arthroscopic surgery, or in the case of stress fractures, surgical fixation. Identifying any underlying structural problem is a key part of the assessment, as conditions such as impingement or dysplasia frequently underlie athletic hip and groin pain.
(03) 9573 9659
Mr Balakumar is one of a small number of surgeons in Australia with formal training in both paediatric and adult hip surgery. His fellowship at Harvard’s Children’s Hospital in Boston, under some of the world’s leading specialists in hip preservation, gives him a depth of expertise that is difficult to find in a single practice.
His approach is the same whether the patient is 6 months or 65 years old – thorough assessment, honest options, and no pressure toward surgery until the clinical picture clearly supports it.
(03) 9573 9659
A common cause of lateral hip pain, ranging from tendon degeneration through to partial or full-thickness tears. Treatment depends on severity and includes physiotherapy, injection and in some cases surgical repair.
Abnormal movement at the joints of the pelvis causing pain and difficulty with weight-bearing activities. Assessment includes evaluation of the hip, pelvis and lumbar spine together.
Progressive loss of cartilage within the hip joint causing pain, stiffness and reduced function. At least 80 per cent of hip osteoarthritis has a structural cause that can be identified and, in suitable patients, addressed.
Inflammation at the pubic symphysis causing groin and lower abdominal pain, commonly seen in athletes. Frequently associated with underlying hip pathology that requires assessment alongside the pubic joint.
Melbourne Orthopaedic Group is home to a team of experienced orthopaedic surgeons, providing comprehensive care for sports injuries and orthopaedic conditions. Whether it’s joint replacement or sports injuries, our specialists provide comprehensive orthopaedic care.
