A Core muscle injury (often called athletic pubalgia or sports hernia) can be diagnosed after a consultation which includes: 1) a detailed history, 2) a comprehensive physical examination, and 3) an MRI of the bony pelvis.

 

History and Physical Examination

As Dr. Meyers consults with the athlete, he focuses on the history and physical examination to ensure there is an absence of other specific etiology related to the groin pain. During the physical exam, Dr. Meyers performs specific tests to determine the source and type of pain. He also attempts to rule out other non-athletic diagnoses, including but not limited to:

 

•  Inflammatory Bowel Disease

•  Endometriosis

•  Urologic problems

•  Aseptic necrosis of the hip

•  Other hip problems

•  Ovarian cyst disease

•  Pelvic inflammatory disease

•  Appendicitis

•  Tumors

 

One of the more important considerations in the diagnosis and treatment of these types of injuries is that there are numerous variants of the injury, each of which requires a different form of treatment.  In addition, there are a variety of more important problems that can in fact mimic the syndromes. 

 

MRI of the Pelvis

In 2006, Dr.Meyers and leading radiologists developed an MRI of the pelvis that is 92% accurate.  This MRI of the pelvis can reveal other problems, such as "soft" musculoskeletal findings, tiny avulsions fractures, peculiar edema patterns, or intrinsic hip pathology.  It is both sensitive and specific for various injuries about the pubic symphysis specifically for rectus abdominis and adductor pathology and also involving the hip and visceral pelvis. Additionally, this MRI technique uses  both surface coil and send-receive body coil, as well as oblique planes to maximize sensitivity and specificity for osseous and musculotendinous pathology of the pelvis.