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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2025; 29(05): 720-732
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1800851
Review Article

Common Mistakes in Groin Pain Classification

Authors

  • Tatiane Cantarelli Rodrigues 

    1   Department of Radiology, Hospital do Coração (HCor), ALTA Diagnostic Center (DASA Group), São Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • Gilberto Amado Rodrigues da Cunha Filho 

    2   Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • Abdalla Skaf

    1   Department of Radiology, Hospital do Coração (HCor), ALTA Diagnostic Center (DASA Group), São Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • André Fukunishi Yamada 

    1   Department of Radiology, Hospital do Coração (HCor), ALTA Diagnostic Center (DASA Group), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
    3   Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Universidade Federal de São Paulo – UNIFESP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Abstract

Groin pain is a common issue in athletes, and an accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management. The complexity of the groin's anatomy, including the pubic symphysis and adductor muscles, makes diagnosing injuries in this area challenging. Additionally, the maturation of the pubic apophysis, particularly in adolescent athletes, can lead to conditions like apophysitis that are often misdiagnosed as other groin injuries. A major challenge is the inconsistent terminology, with terms like “athletic pubalgia” and “sports hernia” used interchangeably, causing confusion. The 2015 Doha Agreement helped standardize the classification of groin pain into adductor-, iliopsoas-, inguinal-, and pubic-related types. This review highlights common mistakes in imaging interpretation, particularly in diagnosing adductor- and pubic-related groin pain. Magnetic resonance imaging is a key tool, offering superior soft tissue detail that is crucial for accurate diagnosis, but misinterpretation remains common. This review will help clinicians and radiologists improve diagnostic accuracy and thus ultimately enhance patient outcomes.

Keywords

groin pain - magnetic resonance imaging - adductor-related groin pain - pubic-related groin pain - pubic apophysitis


Publication History

Article published online:
07 October 2025

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