Groin Pain, Hip Adductor Tenotomy??

[rebeccajordan]

I am a 27 year old healthy female. And, was injured in a car accident over 2 years ago. The original MRI showed a left acetabular hip fracture and a sacral fracture (lower back). I was supposed to recover fully. But, I am still in pain in my left adductor (groin) region and am on a Fentanyl patch for the pain. I used to have constant pain but now it is more limited to: pain while walking up stairs, pain when I lie flat in bed ( I have to put a pillow under my knees), sitting for more than 30 minutes and when I walk for over an hour I am in pain. Many doctors have said that there is nothing they can do and I have to live like this for the rest of my life :(. But one orthopedist said that adductor tenotomy will fix me completely. I am scared and don't want to live my life the horrible way that I have been living. Does anyone know or has had adductor tenotomy. Do any of you out there have any other suggestions what this could be and/ or treatments that exsist. I haven't had an MRI or sonigram or anything done in over a year- would that diagnosis adductor sprain?
Please HELP!!

[the_k_man]

I am a 27 year old healthy female. And, was injured in a car accident over 2 years ago. The original MRI showed a left acetabular hip fracture and a sacral fracture (lower back). I was supposed to recover fully. But, I am still in pain in my left adductor (groin) region and am on a Fentanyl patch for the pain. I used to have constant pain but now it is more limited to: pain while walking up stairs, pain when I lie flat in bed ( I have to put a pillow under my knees), sitting for more than 30 minutes and when I walk for over an hour I am in pain. Many doctors have said that there is nothing they can do and I have to live like this for the rest of my life :(. But one orthopedist said that adductor tenotomy will fix me completely. I am scared and don't want to live my life the horrible way that I have been living. Does anyone know or has had adductor tenotomy. Do any of you out there have any other suggestions what this could be and/ or treatments that exsist. I haven't had an MRI or sonigram or anything done in over a year- would that diagnosis adductor sprain?
Please HELP!!

Hello, Rebecca
I share your pain. I had problems with this area for 3 years until I saw somebody about it. Most told me the same they told you, that it is with you all your life. I saw many doctors, some from a.i.s and the nsw equivalent and because I was not an elite athlete they didn't care. Finally I saw a doc (a runner of some note, national level) he put me onto another surgeon, ( the guy that actually invented the adductor tenotomy, well in australia any way). I was in the operating theatre 3 days later and I had an ADDUCTOR TENOTOMY. I walked out of there with a handful of painkillers and didn't ned one. I was walking with no pain after 1 week and slowly running after 2 weeks, full training after 7 weeks. ?The operation is a very straight forward one, especially when no other problems exist, like hernia etc. It was a very positive experience for me after all the years of pain and being ignored. All i have is a very neat 3-4 cm scar near the groin.
P.S. I did need to have an m.r.i before to see which part was the problem. The surgeon didn't really need these as he put me through a series of tests and knew what needed to be done.
If you want my 2 cents, DO IT!. It completely fixed the pain and the oestitis pubis I was also experiencing!!!!
Good luck, michael

[the_k_man]

I am a 27 year old healthy female. And, was injured in a car accident over 2 years ago. The original MRI showed a left acetabular hip fracture and a sacral fracture (lower back). I was supposed to recover fully. But, I am still in pain in my left adductor (groin) region and am on a Fentanyl patch for the pain. I used to have constant pain but now it is more limited to: pain while walking up stairs, pain when I lie flat in bed ( I have to put a pillow under my knees), sitting for more than 30 minutes and when I walk for over an hour I am in pain. Many doctors have said that there is nothing they can do and I have to live like this for the rest of my life :(. But one orthopedist said that adductor tenotomy will fix me completely. I am scared and don't want to live my life the horrible way that I have been living. Does anyone know or has had adductor tenotomy. Do any of you out there have any other suggestions what this could be and/ or treatments that exsist. I haven't had an MRI or sonigram or anything done in over a year- would that diagnosis adductor sprain?
Please HELP!!
REBECCA,
It is me again,
DON'T LIVE WITH THE PAIN!!!!!
DON'T LISTEN TO A FEW FEEBLE MINDED DOCTORS WHO DON'T UNDERSTANd; EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT ELITE ATHLETES OUR SPORT IS STILL VERY DEAR TO US!!!!!!!
MIchael.

[injuryupdate]

Simple test which would determine whether your pain is coming from the adductor attachment:

Get a doctor to inject local anaesthetic, about 5-10ml, at the exact point where you adductor tendon joins the pubic bone. Then walk around and do whatever exercise you normally would feel would hurt in the next 2 hours. If this is all pain free, then the pain is coming from your adductor tendon attachment, and it is worth having the operation done.

Be aware though, that:
(1) Adductor tendinopathy is MUCH more common in males than females (must have something to do with the shape of the male pelvis).
(2) If you have had acetabular fracture then there is likely to be some hip joint degeneration, which would give rise to some pain. You can try a local anaesthetic block in the hip joint as well (needs to be put in using a CT scan or ultrasound though).
(3) Even with correct diagnosis, the procedure is still not 100%

More info on this operation is available at:
http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/images/research/JSMStendons.pdf

[Joan]

I am a 27 year old healthy female. And, was injured in a car accident over 2 years ago. The original MRI showed a left acetabular hip fracture and a sacral fracture (lower back). I was supposed to recover fully. But, I am still in pain in my left adductor (groin) region and am on a Fentanyl patch for the pain. I used to have constant pain but now it is more limited to: pain while walking up stairs, pain when I lie flat in bed ( I have to put a pillow under my knees), sitting for more than 30 minutes and when I walk for over an hour I am in pain. Many doctors have said that there is nothing they can do and I have to live like this for the rest of my life :(. But one orthopedist said that adductor tenotomy will fix me completely. I am scared and don't want to live my life the horrible way that I have been living. Does anyone know or has had adductor tenotomy. Do any of you out there have any other suggestions what this could be and/ or treatments that exsist. I haven't had an MRI or sonigram or anything done in over a year- would that diagnosis adductor sprain?
Please HELP!!


Hello Rebbecca,
My son is in need of this adductor tenotomy, would you please be ableto send me the name and address of the person that michael gave you?
Is this surgeon in Sydney?
Does he do the operations on the elite sports people?
Have you had it done and was it successful?
thanks Joan

[Joan]

Hello, Rebecca
I share your pain. I had problems with this area for 3 years until I saw somebody about it. Most told me the same they told you, that it is with you all your life. I saw many doctors, some from a.i.s and the nsw equivalent and because I was not an elite athlete they didn't care. Finally I saw a doc (a runner of some note, national level) he put me onto another surgeon, ( the guy that actually invented the adductor tenotomy, well in australia any way). I was in the operating theatre 3 days later and I had an ADDUCTOR TENOTOMY. I walked out of there with a handful of painkillers and didn't ned one. I was walking with no pain after 1 week and slowly running after 2 weeks, full training after 7 weeks. ?The operation is a very straight forward one, especially when no other problems exist, like hernia etc. It was a very positive experience for me after all the years of pain and being ignored. All i have is a very neat 3-4 cm scar near the groin.
P.S. I did need to have an m.r.i before to see which part was the problem. The surgeon didn't really need these as he put me through a series of tests and knew what needed to be done.
If you want my 2 cents, DO IT!. It completely fixed the pain and the oestitis pubis I was also experiencing!!!!
Good luck, michael

hello Michael.
I have noticed that you have had a adductor tenotomy. Would you please send me the information on the operation and the surgeon that preformed it for you?
Has your operation been successful?
My son has been told that he may have to have the adductor tenotomy
so i am wondering if you would give me as much information as you have ?
I am a registered nurse and am a bit worried about this as it is not a very common operation.

Thankyou for your help
Joan

[Unregistered]

rebecca! i am a 20 year old male. i was extremely active until unfortunately 13 months ago playing a soccer match i turn on the ball and instantly felt pain. i ignored this pain and kept playing for two weeks however the strain began to get worse i couldnt run for 10 minutes without being in pain for at least two days after. the main a problem is that no doctor, surgeon or physio could diagnose my problem until recently that is, i meet a sports injury specialist who has sinse diagnosed my proplem. he has now refered me to a surgeon who will preform a tenotomy on me soon. this he said will cure all my problems he said hopefully so go about finding out about this route. regards mark

[eoghancarroll]

Hi there,

I'm mailing from Ireland. I have had chronic pain in my adductor area for the past 5 years. I played Gaelic Games up to that point and have not been able to play since. I have visited many doctors and physios but I have had no improvement. From reading all the posts on this topic it looks this tenotomy could be a very worthwhile procedure for me to have. Could somebody throw me a lifline and forward me details of the surgeon who has been performing these tentomy operations.

Thank you,

Eoghan

[Marzipanlil]

I have an an adductor tenotomy. It was and is a disaster. But I suspect that the procedure was wrong. The adductor longus tendon was pulled off the pubic bone and paced high up in the groin. The tendon is tight and very visible. I stumble easily, can't avoid bumping into people and have constant discomfort. I would love to know the procedure that people had who are happy with the results. I know this is an old thread but I chanced upon it so someone else might too.
As a side effect I developed a frozen shoulder as a result of all the falls had it manipulated and woke up with a fractured shoulder!
Patient check your surgeons success rate and ask lots of questions!

If anyone has had a tenotomy where the tendon was lengthed and put back more or less where it came from please please e-mail me just to confirm that this is possible. I live the life of an old lady!

[Beechy]

I 26 year old male, active GAA and soccer player and also have constant groin pain. Gerry McEntee is a surgeon in Dublin and does the adductor tenotomy in the Mater Hospital. I am currently arranging for to have this done. By all accounts his success rate is high

[mel81]

I have had the adductor tentonomy. Weeks ago now, not rushing the rehab, however its going ok touch wood so far. Intrested if anyone has had it, revoery time, feelings ect

Cheers

[Beechy]

I've yet to get my operation on the adductor tenotomy but I am now able to run and sprint. I have a few questions if someone out there might be able to help me with. I was informed by a surgeon that I will need to get this op done either try to play through the pain until it's unbearable or choose to get this done now. I chose to get this done now but I'm still awaiting this to be done over 1 month after being told and over 4 months since the groin went on me. He diagnosed this noticing a hard lump on the bone of my groin area. I only knew of this once he as me to compare both side of groin. Now this is still there but my training has improved where I can now sprint and turn. I haven't tried to kick a ball as I know it's still not strong enough. Would anyone please have some advise? Would you get the op done straight away? Would it cause long term damage? I asking this as I've quite a few big matches coming op over the next eight weeks?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

[LawrenceGold]

Tenotomy? Cutting of the tendon? Your orthopedist is a butcher. Get away from him as quickly as possible.

Muscular contractures commonly follow injuries. The answer is to retrain your control of the involved muscles -- rather easy to do with the correct procedures.

Please see articles at somatics.com/page4.htm for an explanation of the approach.

Practitioners are available, and lacking that, there are self-help resources.

with regard,

[Unregistered]

Definitely good to have other opinions here, but adductor tenotomy is a respected operation; on this site, see:

http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/images/research/JSMStendons.pdf

Obviously it goes without saying that you only need it if you have chronic pain coming from the adductor tendon that has failed treatment with non surgical methods.

The good news is that the tendon is only cut 2-3mm through and there are 3 other major muscle/tendons nearby that can happily bear the load.

There are elite runners who have had this operation and recorded career-best times/results afterwards, so it definitely doesn't cripple you. Also stacks of elite football players still doing very well after adductor tenotomy.

Also goes without saying that you should choose a surgeon very experienced in the technique.

[Unregistered]

Hi all, my name is Keith, I live in England and I am 22. I have had the same type of injury you are all explaning for about three years but I am able to run with lots of pain afterwards. If I kick a football (soccer) the pain is rather bad and often I end up being unable to walk properly for a day or two. It seems to be what you all are on about except I get a pain deep in my butox on the effected side, around my hip and also in the upper leg muscles which also seems to be happening on the other side (not the primary pain, just the secondary). If these secondary pains make my injury different from the rest of you, does anyone know what it is? Could anyone also give me some good references from people to see in England. Thank you all!

[Unregistered]

Hi all,

I'm a sportsman from England. I've had Osteisis Pubis, Adductor tendonitomy, and inguinal hernia (sportsmans hernia). It's thought groin pain can be combination of the above factors. I've Had Hernia repair, which helped. I have been having dry needling on the pubic tendon to stimulate growth, no joy so far. Last resort is the Adductor Tenotomy, does anybody know any good surgeons in England?

Keith try Dr kemp at Parkside wimbledon

[swimmer367]

I had a hip adductor tenotomy about 11 weeks ago and I am now returning to activity. Does anyone know how long it should take to heal completely? My doctors were pretty vague.
Any help would be greatly appretiated.

[the_k_man]

Swimmer123,

It can take up to two years to heal properly. I was back to running at full strength in about 8 - 12 weeks. About 90 - 120 km a week. Well that's after I pushed my luck and played Tennis 3 weeks after op and tore my adductor brevis.
Overall, slow and steady. BUt don't be afraid to push it a little and if you feel a bit of tightness, rest but don't stretch!
Good Luck,
The k man.

[vitt]

hey micheal

due to have my tenotomy next month, hey I am al little stressed, why do you say no stretch?

are you able to spread your legs out ok with no pain? can you sit crossed leg on the floor alright?

just curious....cheers

[the_k_man]

Dear Vitt,

Unlike a muscle which enjoys being lengthened and stretched which allows the fibres to re-align and more blood to flow to the area, a tendon, especially a damaged one is a different story!
I'm not saying stretching an undamaged tendon is a no-no, but stretching a damaged one definitely is. Often with a damaged tendon there is a fair amount of scar tissue which is actually holding everything together, break this and the tendon could be damaged further and as you know shortened even more!!!
Tendons are usually more fibrous and do not have a lot of blood flow, stretch them to far and the whole deck of cards could collapse!!
I suppose, stretch until you feel pain. But with a damaged adductor tendon stretching is definitely considered the wrong thing to do.
Vitt, who is doing the surgery?
Where are you having it done?
Good Luck and Take Care,
MIchael.

[vitt]

hey cheers

this sounds reasonable, even if some physio tell you to stretch...mad

hey believe it or not I am still in two minds between halpin and garvey...well going more for garvey maybe, i sent him all my docs and info and he quickly said that need surgery and feels very confident that I can get fixed, he said normal 90% success rate.....but I am so scared in making the wrong choice...

I ma still in italy and will be coming there for that...I heard there is also someone good here in europe, he seemed really good in replying my emails, very precise, also worked on football players...think he done less then garvey tho

which adductor did you have done?

think my problem also being the gracilious and magnus

take care and thanks vittora

[billhill]

I've done a lot of research on this injury and found some interesting information regarding the injection of blood into the affected tendon. I can't find any medical professionals that will do it but trials have been extremely positive. It could be worth looking into.

[vitt]

hey bill

you are right about that, i have found some things on the net too......where are you?

thing is mainly in the states really, but will keep on looking, let me know if ya find someone interested in doing it. ciao viutt

[billhill]

I'm in perth. I've had this groin condition for 3 years and at 22 can no longer do anything involving lifting or stand for extended periods on my feet. So like many people here on this site its good to be able to see whats worked for people and what hasn't. Currently i've been sent to a physio by a leading sports injury doctor here in WA. I was wondering whether many people have had much success trying physiotherapy. So far my results are ok but its very slow and i am quite pessimistic in regards to being able to fully cure it this way. It seems to me that unfortunately the medical fraternity really have no idea how to properly diagnose these groin injuries let alone treat them and they seem to be so common.

I'm going to see the south african rugby team chiropractor in the coming weeks. He is apparently a bit unorthodox in his approach so will see if he can do anything for my groin. Will let you know how it goes.

[Cannavaro]

Billhill, i'm in Perth also and have also been given the run around for the past 18 months.

I was initially diagnosed with OP even though I could run fine, my problem was kicking a ball. I remember a tear in my groin while I was sprinting. I have done countless scans, physio, pilates, injections, everything! I returned to see a new sports doctor after nearly giving up and he (in 5 mins) knew exaclty what I had, my adductor did tear, and it healed too short, causing the pulling and immflamation on the pubis. So it was not OP that I had, even if they say you have OP, it's a fact that anyone who plays vigorous sports has even light OP.

Getting my muscles working right was the first thing, strong glutes and lower abs.

Then just last week I had an injection into the adductor origin, some simple all round hip and leg stretching and I can kick again. he told me to keep running and light kicking just to get back some mobility.

In saying all this I did rest for 6 months also, however that worked both for and against me.

[the_k_man]

Dear Vitt,

Did you have the operation done?
How did it all go? Fingers crossed for you that it went well!
Who did you go with?

Take Care,
Michael.

P.S. Vitt clear your private mail box space. They say it is full!

[vitt]

hey there

thanks for asking,yeah I had it done, in finland, had only one side done and think that helped, i am keen in going ahead to do the other side too. I am mean there is still some pain in the side he's done, any tips? especcially when stretching, but getting better.........how long will it take before it comes together?

cheers vitt

[Cannavaro]

Ciao Vitt,

I have been reading up alot on this procedure as I am looking at that as an option, it seems to me that most people dont recover fully from it and as you said still suffer the problem slightly. One thing though which comes to mind, is it always that Adductor Longus that causes the pain? The Adductor Magnus is a much larger muscle and sometimes I think my pulling pain is coming from there.

Magnus vs Longus...thats the big question.

Have you been doing alot of strength and stretch work also? Remember to work those Glutes real strong.

Fabio.

[vitt]

fabio

thanks, well I have a good doctor and he did a deeper tenotomy, indeed my prob was gracilious and magnus, so I had a large tenotomy........but most people only have longus done only,depends on the prob,for me it was always the gracilious, so i had tenotomy there......

but i am not in oz, and my doctor said that most of the prob he saw with groin come from gracilious, funny ha?

talk to a surgeon i reckon, thanks for the rehab, still going,slowly but getting better....

cheers

[billhill]

Hey guys went to see this chiropracter in perth and so far within a week the pain from my OP/tendonosis is almost completely gone. This guy fixes the muscle imbalances that cause these groin injuries and therefore treats the cause rather then the symptoms. I know he may not work for everyone but if you want to go see him his name is Jonathan McKiever and his practice is called bayveiw chiropractic in claremont. Considering that i've had this condition for 3 years i was very pessemistic and after my first visit the pain completely swapped side and now it is almost gone. One or two more visits and i'll be cured he said.

[vitt]

hey bill

wow this is amazing, like to know a little more about that pls. I mean I am happy for you, but i dont understand how it works if you have inflammed tendons, how does it take the inflammation away?

what do you mean by muscles imbalance? thanks for any info ya can send, vitt

[billhill]

Basically its using manipulation of the nerves at the spine to retrain muscles that have been constantly turned on to turn off. According to this chiropractor he said that my back muscles were the problem and treated them instead of the groin and immediately i had a change in my groin. Apparently the back muscles were always pulling on the pelvic girdle and hence causing my adductor to take more load then it should. This eccessive load on my adductor is what led to my groin injury. I know it kind of sounds like hocus pocus but i couldn't beleive the kind of changes i've seen. I mean time will tell on this treatment but so far so good.

[philwood11]

I have been reading through everything possible regarding Adductor Tenotomy after an avulsion of the adductor longus in November 2006 when playing soccer. I am having surgery with Dr. Garvey on Tuesday May 29th. I am seeing a physio at the Sydeny Sports Medicine Centre to help with muscle imbalances. It appears my back muscles are pulling too tight in the lumbar area and my quadriceps and hip flexors are way too tight so I really hope with this rehab and some new orthotics also the injury to my adductor longus will not occur again. My question to everyone is, based on experience, how long after the operation can I expect to be playing soccer again??? Is there much pain post surgey and how long does it last???

[gamma1]

31 year old Galic foorballer here. I have been to see Mr McEntee twice. and was adviced i may need an adductor tenotomy if i did not recover using an active rehab programme. Four mts on nd i am no better. He also diagnosed osteitis pubis. My fear is that if i get the operation i will still have the pain in the groin from osteitis pubis and in my stomach, so am i best to wait longer.
Anyone got any advice?

[Paul4563]

The number 1 guy for adductor tenotomy is Dr Neil Halpin. I had one done last Wednesday after a year and a half waiting for the pain to go. He's at Energy Australia stadium in Newastle but consults and operates in Sydney at Holroyd Private hospital on Wednesdays. There were AFL footballers up from Melbourne getting post season groin work done the times I saw him. Get a referral and see the guy. He's no nonsense and doesnt mess around.

[thedan222]

Hi,
January 2009 i had the tenotomy wit Gerry McEntee. I found him very arrogent and sapped any little confience i had in recovering from the injury. His post op rehab programme did not work and pain was pretty much the same prior to op if not worse. I too am a GAA player and am still in recovery. I heard of a man who went to Gerard Hartman in Limerick, a world renound man. He gave him a flexibility programme to be carried out for 8 weeks followed by a core programme for 6 weeks. He has since made a full recovery and is now playing intercounty football. I met him a while back an he gave me this programme which involves streching everyday, about 45min. in the past few weeks my flexibility has greatly improved and i have now started the core programme.
How is everybody else getting on??