Objective: To investigate the results of surgical treatment on athletes presenting with chronic symphysis syndrome (lower abdominal, groin, and adductor pain).
Design: Retrospective nonrandomized study.
Setting: Swiss Olympic Medical Center associated with Institute of Sports Sciences.
Patients: Twenty-four athletes who were treated for chronic symphysis syndrome, a combination of abdominal, groin, and adductor pain, were evaluated for an average of 6.6 years after surgery. All athletes were males, with a mean age of 25.8 years. The average duration of chronic symptoms was 17 months.
Interventions: Of patients, 20 underwent spreading of the lateral border of the sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle together with an epimysial adductor release, and 4 had only the reconstruction of the rectus abdominis muscle.
Main outcome measures: Subjective (questionnaire) and objective (clinical examination) follow-up data using point scores were obtained at a mean of 6.6 years posttreatment.
Results: The mean point score in the subjective overall rating was 10.2 (maximum 12) and in the objective rating was 12.0 (maximum 13). Of athletes, 21 were very content, 2 were content, and 1 was not content. Full sports activity was noted in 23 of 24 athletes.
Conclusions: Surgical treatment of chronic symphysis syndrome is successful and can salvage the career of athletes.