Groin injuries are most common in sports such as football, ice hockey, and rugby, but they can be seen in most sports with elements of running, turning, and jumping. They account for 5% to 18% of all sport-related injuries.[2]Karlsson J, Sward L, Kalebo P, et al. Chronic groin injuries in athletes: recommendations for treatment and rehabilitation. Sports Med. 1994;17:141-148.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8171224?tool=bestpractice.com
[3]Renstrom P, Peterson L. Groin injuries in athletes. Br J Sports Med. 1980;14:30-36.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7378668?tool=bestpractice.com
[4]Hölmich P. Adductor-related groin pain in athletes. Sports Med Arthrosc. 1997;5:285-291.[5]Robertson BA, Barker PJ, Fahrer M, et al. The anatomy of the pubic region revisited: implications for the pathogenesis and clinical management of chronic groin pain in athletes. Sports Med. 2009;39:225-234.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19290677?tool=bestpractice.com
In male football (soccer), a seven season prospective study of elite players found hip/groin injuries accounting for 12% to 16% of all injuries.[6]Werner J1, Hägglund M, Waldén M, et al. UEFA injury study: a prospective study of hip and groin injuries in professional football over seven consecutive seasons. Br J Sports Med. 2009;43:1036-1040.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19945984?tool=bestpractice.com
In total, the incidence was 1.1/1000 hours, with matches contributing 3.5/1000 hours. Adductor-related injuries were by far the most common, followed by iliopsoas-related injuries. One study of sub-elite football players found the same pattern with adductor-related groin injury being the most common, followed by iliopsoas- and abdominal-related injuries.[7]Hölmich P1, Thorborg K, Dehlendorff C, et al. Incidence and clinical presentation of groin injuries in sub-elite male soccer. Br J Sports Med. Br J Sports Med. 2014;48:1245-1250.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23956334?tool=bestpractice.com
The incidence was lower with 0.4 injuries/1000 hours in total.