MR imaging spectrum of adolescent pubic symphyseal injuries/athletic pubalgia

Review written by Sam Blanchard info

Key Points

  1. Salter Harris type 1 fractures should be considered a differential diagnosis for Pubic Related Groin pain in young athletes.
All key points available for members only
Start free trial Icon
Or log in here

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Globally known as “Athletic Pubalgia” or “Pubic Related Groin Pain”, pathology around this region in adolescents and young adults can be challenging to diagnose and therefore manage. The pubic symphysis (PS) is a complex non-synovial cartilaginous joint, serving as the attachment site for the rectus abdominis, adductor longus, adductor brevis, and gracilis tendons, forming part of the anterior pelvic ring. The arcuate (inferior pubic) ligament blends with the articular disc and aponeurosis, playing a key role in reducing shear forces on the PS.

Understanding the developmental changes in the PS that occur during adolescence and early adulthood is important for the accurate diagnosis to differentiate conditions in adolescents from those in fully mature adults.

The objective of this study was to describe the array of findings on MRI in adolescents with pubic symphyseal injuries/athletic pubalgia.

Pathology around the groin region in adolescents and young adults can be challenging to diagnose and therefore manage.
bulb
Adolescents typically exhibit asymmetrical ossific fraying and signs of chronic Salter-Harris Type I fractures, reflecting their ongoing skeletal development and incomplete ossification of the pubic symphysis.

METHODS

  • This was a retrospective review of patients younger than 18 who had PS MRI between 2012 and 2023, using injuries that were classified as "athletic pubalgia" or "sports hernia" from a single hospital.
Start free trial Icon
to unlock full access to this review and 1073 more
Or log in here
Trustpilot