Pubic stress fracture presenting as a strain of adductor longus in a 16-year-old elite soccer player with Crohn's disease: a case report.

Background: Adductor strains are the most commonly reported muscle injuries in adolescent soccer players and the second most common muscle injuries in adult players. Health practitioners should be aware of possible differential diagnoses, such as a pubic stress fracture or pubic apophysitis when athletes present with chronic groin pain.

Purpose: To present a rare case of a unilateral pelvic stress fracture of a 16-year old elite soccer player with a history of Crohn's disease.

Study design: Retrospective case report (n=1).

Methods: Case notes of two sports-based practitioners were reviewed and compiled retrospectively.

Results: Following activity restriction, a period of rest, conservative care, and progressive rehabilitation, this athlete was able to achieve a pain-free state with near equal iso-kinetic strength bilaterally as measured by Cybex 6000 (Cybex International Inc., Medway, MA, USA) muscle testing. Full activity was resumed 10 months after initial presentation and the athlete was able to return to playing professional soccer.

Summary: This case report presents a rare diagnosis of a unilateral pubic stress fracture presenting as a strain of adductor longus. Although quite rare, differential diagnoses such as a potential underlying stress fracture should be considered when presented with chronic or recurrent groin pain.