Core Muscle Injury: A Combined Orthopaedic and General Surgery Algorithmic Approach for Diagnosis, Imaging, and Treatment.

Authors

Ariana Lott, Caroline A Dannacher, Mohammad M Samim, Mary Ann Hopkins, Jordan Taylor, Spencer Stein, Xavier Pereira, Natasha Desai, Abigail Campbell

Published in

JBJS reviews. Volume 14. Issue 10. Oct 01, 2026. Epub Oct 19, 2026.

Abstract

» Core muscle injury (CMI) is a common cause of groin pain in athletes and reflects pathology of the inguinal canal, rectus abdominis-adductor longus (RA-AL) aponeurosis, and pubic symphysis. » There is a substantial lack of consensus on terminology and diagnostic criteria for CMI, hindering standardized evaluation, management, and research initiatives. » Diagnosis relies on structured history, physical examinations, and provocative maneuvers to identify CMI and concurrent pathology, and fluid-sensitive pelvic magnetic resonance imaging to characterize RA-AL injury. » Treatment strategies differ across sports medicine physicians, general surgeons, and orthopaedic surgeons, underscoring the need for early cross-departmental referrals to ensure all contributing pathologies are comprehensively identified and addressed. » When both adductor/RA-AL aponeurosis and inguinal canal/abdominal wall pathologies are present, prioritizing collaborative cases between orthopaedic and general surgeons is essential for decreasing operating room time, streamlining rehabilitation, and optimizing return-to-sport outcomes.

PMID:
42896017
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 20 Oct 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.