Table 1

Proposed rehabilitation regime following operative repair of inguinal disruption

WeekProcedure
1Initiation of functional rehabilitation programme

  • Isometric abdominals—emphasis on transversus and oblique's with pelvic control

  • Isometric hip flexors, extensors, abductors, adductors and rotators

  • Spinal mobilisation programme

2Increase walking using time as limiting factor, increasing by 5 min each day if no ill effectsContinue isometrics and active spinal work, 10 reps/4 times/dayEnd of week initiate active assisted cliniband/isokinetic work in functional standing position
3Functional rehabilitation

  • Neurological gymnastic ball work

  • Mobility work, active and passive

  • Stability work

  • Hydrotherapy Cardiovascular

  • Swimming (if wound healed)

  • Cycling

  • Initiate running programme, progressing from aerobic to anaerobic over the next 3 weeks

Isokinetics

  • Submaximal to maximal isometric hip work/isokinetics if available. Bias towards presurgical isokinetic test results.Once 25% or lower deficit between limbs, begin active concentric work, starting on fast speeds (240) progressing to slower (60) depending on daily reassessment.

4Return to active assisted work to re-educate concentric/eccentric functional pattern.Progression of functional rehabilitation workEarly sport/occupation-specific rehabilitationRunning forwards→backwards→cutting→sprinting
5Concentric/eccentric lower limb muscle patterns—manual/cliniband/isokineticsGeneral weights work with abdominal belt/lumbar supportFull soccer-specific rehabilitationReturn to play/work according to functional reassessment