>Imaging Assessment of the Pubis in Soccer Players^[*]

Abstract

Objective To compare the accuracy of ultrasound (US) with that of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of aponeurosis lesions of the rectus abdominis/adductor longus muscles, to study the characteristics of the athletes and imaging findings associated with pubalgia, and to demonstrate the importance of each method in evaluating this condition.

Materials and methods The present study was conducted from 2011 to 2016 with 39 professional soccer players: 15 with pubalgia and 24 without pubalgia. Age, field position, body mass index (BMI), weekly training load, career length, and history of thigh/knee injury and lower back pain were recorded. The following tests were performed: radiographs (anteroposterior view of the pelvis in standing and flamingo positions) to evaluate hip impingement, sacroiliac joint, and pubic symphysis instability; US to analyze the common aponeurosis of the rectus abdominis/adductor longus muscles and inguinal hernias; and MRI for pubic bone degenerative alterations and edema, and lesions in the adductor and rectus abdominis muscles and their aponeurosis.

Results There was an association between pubalgia, high BMI (p = 0.032) and muscle alterations (p < 0.001). Two patients with pubalgia had inguinal hernias and one patient with pubalgia and two controls had sports hernias. Pubic degenerative changes were frequent in both groups. Aponeurosis lesions were more frequent in patients with pain. The US detection had 44.4% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Conclusion The evaluation of athletic pubalgia should be performed with radiography, US, and MRI. High BMI, muscle injuries, geodes, and osteophytes are findings associated with pubalgia; US has low sensitivity to detect injuries of the common aponeurosis of the rectus abdominis/adductor longus muscles.

Keywords

magnetic resonance imaging/methods - pubic symphysis/diagnostic imaging - pubic symphysis/injuries - groin - radiography - athletic injuries/pathology - ultrasonography

^* Work developed at the Hospital Santa Monica, Erechim, RS, Brazil and at the Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia of the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

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