Osteitis Pubis / Groin Pain

I am a 32-year-old senior hurler with my club in Tipperary. When I was officially diagnosed with Osteoporosis Pubis in May 2022, my routine approach with the local physiotherapist was not successful.

I spent 18 months working with my local physio. I spent countless hours every week meticulously executing the rehab and running programs along with additional recovery techniques such as ice baths and other thermal exposure in a desperate attempt to get back playing with my friends and family before I was too old to play at senior level.

Devastatingly, despite the time, energy and patience put towards the plan, some brief improvements would be seen but as the running intensity ramped up the inflammation in my groin would always return resulting in removal from group training again to return to my individual rehab program.

This type of setback occurred multiple times over a year and half which was hugely disappointing and disheartening and naturally took its toll on me mentally as I started to really feel isolated from the group and doubt that I would ever be able to play a running sport again.

I was eventually referred to Santry Sports Clinic (SSC) by my local GP, who felt I needed to be seen by an expert. I was initially referred to Dr. Ciaran Cosgrave, a leading sports injury consultant in Ireland. Dr. Cosgrave assessed my current condition and reassured me I would be able to get back playing through a physiotherapy plan. At this stage I wanted an injection or surgery to speed up the process but Dr. Cosgrave felt physiotherapy was the best route.

He referred me to Liam Hogan, a senior Physiotherapist in SSC. Initially Liam was fully booked up for 4 weeks but after hearing my story and the complexity & history of the injury, Liam made adjustments to his schedule in order to see me on that same day as the initial consultation with Dr. Cosgrave.

After a meticulous examination, Liam found weaknesses in my body that was preventing me from getting better and he reassured me that he will be able to put a plan in place to address the weaknesses and get me back playing in 3 months. I was skeptical because at this point as I had done physiotherapy for a year and a half and had endured multiple setbacks at this stage.

Long story short and without getting into the details of the treatment, Liams program was different which gave me confidence. He was true to his promise as I was back playing full contact with my local sports team within approximately 12 to 15 weeks from the initial appointment. Liam was the first person to have a true understanding of both my injury and the reasons for the reoccurring inflammation and as a result of this understanding along with genuine care and a desire to really solve the problem, we got there. It is important to mention it wasn’t straight forward during this time either and there were times when I was  disheartened from the ups and downs that I often pleaded with Liam to refer me for an injection. It was times like this when Liams expertise, confidence and problem solving ability showed to be on another level to other physiotherapists as he was always able to make adjustments to the program based on my feedback and reassured me that I am getting better.

Liam was extremely unselfish with his time and energy as he regularly reached out to me for an update on my progress and would often give me or tailor my program to address minor reactions / pain. I personally believe without this level of expertise and communication I would not have been able to get back playing.

I am back playing now, currently in the middle of our championship, and fully pain free, with no reactions to playing 60 minute games along with having excellent running speed and fitness.

One year ago I genuinely thought my hurling career was over so it was important for me to highlight the expertise, I received by Dr. Cosgrave and Liam Hogan at SSC.