adductor tendon tear

[littledancer]

I was just recently diagnosed with an adductor tendon tear of the right thigh. The injury happened three years ago (I sneezed post surgery on right hip) and I still can't squeeze my legs together or lift my leg any higher than 90 degrees to the front. I'm a ballet dancer and can't dance due to this injury. I've seen three doctors now and no one knows how to fix this. I've been told this is a rare injury and that the tendon will probably need to be reconstructed. Has anybody heard about this or know who would be able to help?

[greg]

Hi,
I play junior soccer and about a year ago I sustained an injury to my left adductor or groin area.I was twisting and turning when this happened.For about 6 months no one could tell me what was wrong.I could not close my legs together and when I lifted my knee to my chest I felt pain.I had an MRI done which showed nothing and I subsequently found out that it was read incorrectly.About a month ago I went to see Gerry Mcentee in Dublin who specializes in these injuries and he immediately told me that I had an adductor tear and he told me that I required an adductor tenotomy.I had that about 5 weeks ago and I already feel a lot better.He said it usually takes about 12 weeks to recover.Fingers crossed I'll be back playing in February.Hope this helps.

[Ruth]

Hi littledancer,

Sorry to hear about your injury, are you sure it is a groin injury (i.e. has a hernia been ruled out)?

If it is a groin injury it should be rehabilitated successfully in all but the most serious injuries, which may require surgery. You didn't say what brings on the symptoms or what the surgery was for on your right hip so I can't really help from a diagnostic point of view, but commonly tendon injuries will respond to rehabilitation whereas a hernia would not. Also a hernia tends to cause pain on coughing and sneezing, or any activities which increase abdominal pressure.

Have you been to see any physiotherapists at all? This would be my first suggestion, particularly if you're sure it's an injury to the tendon. There are lots of techniques that could be used to help this injury, even such a long time after the initial onset. Certainly, I would strongly suggest trying this before considering such a drastic operation.

Please let us know how you get on!

[littledancer]

Hi Ruth

Thanks for the reply. First off, the original surgery I had on my right hip was an iliopsoas muscle release. It was done arthroscopicly. Second, a hernia was rulled out not long after I sneeze. Third, over the past few months, since I posted this thread, I have seen a few more surgeons, and was finally given a definite diagnosed. Dr. Lea Ann Curl, head surgeon for the Baltimore Raven's, said that I have a complete iliopsoas rupture and a partial adductor tear. She said that this is something I will have to live with. I was aslo diagnosed by a rheumatologist with benign hypermobility syndrome in Sept. He said that there's so much laxity in the connective tissue of all my joints that will in return make it nearly impossible for a surgeon to succesfully reconnect the psoas muscle with the psoas tendon without the imminent threat of re-tearing. I will just have to find another sport that doesn't include ballet like movements.
Thank you again for replying.
Elyse

[littledancer]

Hi Greg, I just wanted to say thank you for the reply to my question. I was finally diagnosed with a complete iliopsoas muscle rupture (muscle from tendon) and a partial adductor tear. No surgeon will be able to help me though due to the fact I have a connective tissue disorder and the surgery probably wouldn't take for very long before the muscle would re-tear.
I am so glad though your surgery was a success. I hope you return to your sport very soon. Again thanks for the reply. - Elyse