Intratissue percutaneous electolysis combined with active physical therapy for the treatment of adductor longus enthesopathy-related groin pain: a randomized trial

Abstract

Background: Adductor longus enthesopathy-related groin pain (ALErGP) is the most common cause of groin pain in soccer players. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic utility of intratissue percutaneous electrolysis (EPI®) technique in combination with an active physical therapy (APT) program to treat ALErGP.

Methods: Twenty-four non-professional male soccer players diagnosed with ALErGP were included in this study and randomly divided into two groups. Group A was treated with EPI® technique in combination with a standardized APT program. Group B only underwent the APT program. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) were used to assess the effectiveness of the two interventions. The follow-up covered a 6-month period.

Results: Both groups significantly improved pain and functional scores after treatment and maintained this therapeutic result throughout the follow-up. The combined intervention of APT program and EPI® ensured a greater and faster reduction of pain in group A. In addition, functional recovery tended to be greater in group A than B after the treatment and throughout the follow-up by 7.8±3.8% (P=0.093).

Conclusions: EPI® treatment in association with APT ensured a greater and more rapid reduction of pain and tended to promote greater functional recovery in soccer players with ALErGP compared to APT only. This positive therapeutic result lasted for at least 6 months after the end of the treatment. These findings support the combined use of EPI® and APT to treat ALErGP.