Regenerative Injection of Elite Athletes with Career-Altering Chronic Groin Pain

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2008 Aug 6.
A Consecutive Case Series.
Topol GA, Reeves KD.

From the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Jaime Slullitel Rosario Orthopedic and Trauma Institute, Argentina (GAT); Servicio de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación del Hospital Provincial de Rosario, Argentina (GAT); Team Physiatrist, Rosario Rugby Union, Argentina (GAT); Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hospital, Gardner, Kansas (KDR); and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, Kansas (KDR).

Topol GA, Reeves KD: Regenerative injection of elite athletes with career-altering chronic groin pain who fail conservative treatment: a consecutive case series. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2008. OBJECTIVE:: To obtain multisport and long-term outcome data from use of regenerative injection therapy on career-threatened athletes. DESIGN:: Consecutive enrollment of elite performance-limited athletes with chronic groin/abdominal pain who failed a conservative treatment trial. The treatment consisted of monthly injection of 12.5 dextrose in 0.5% lidocaine in abdominal and adductor attachments on the pubis. Injection of the nociceptive source was confirmed by repetition of resistive testing 5 min after injection. RESULTS:: Seventy-five athletes were enrolled. Seventy-two athletes (39 rugby, 29 soccer, and 4 other) completed the minimum two treatment protocol. Their data revealed a mean groin pain duration of 11 (3-60) mos. Average number of treatments received was 3 (1-6). Individual paired t tests for VAS of pain with sport (VAS Pain) and Nirschl pain phase scale measured at 0 and an average of 26 (6-73) mos indicated VAS Pain improvement of 82% (P < 10), and Nirschl pain phase scale improvement of 78% (P < 10). Six athletes did not improve following regenerative injection therapy treatment and the remaining 66 returned to unrestricted sport. Return to unrestricted sport occurred in an average of 3 (1-5) mos. CONCLUSIONS:: Athletes returned to full elite-level performance in a timely and sustainable manner after regenerative injection therapy using dextrose.