The Gilmore Groin & Hernia Clinic: Sports injury treatment in London

The Gilmore Groin & Hernia Clinic , in London, provides an integrated service staffed by a dedicated multi-disciplinary team specialising in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries such as Gilmore’s Groin and various types of hernia. It aims to achieve this with the highest standard of professional care, and a minimum of delay in relaxing and friendly surroundings.

 

 

Jerry Gilmore MS FRCS FRCS (Ed) F. INST. SPORTS MED qualified at Barts in 1966 and was awarded the Begley Prize, from the Royal College of Surgeons of England. In 1975, he was awarded the Moynihan Prize by the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and The Hamilton Bailey Prize by the International College of Surgeons.

 

In 1976 he was awarded the Master of Surgery Degree by the University of London. He was appointed Hunterian Professor by the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Consultant Surgeon to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London.

 

During research for the Master of Surgery Degree he developed an interest in wound healing which evolved into specific interest in soft tissue injuries and repair. In 1980 he recognised the syndrome of groin disruption in sportsmen and undertook the first successful repair. The technique later became known as ‘Gilmore’s Groin’.

Over 26 years more than 6,000 sportsmen and sportswomen have been referred and over 3,600, including 364 internationals, have undergone successful surgery.

 

In 1991, the Gilmore Groin & Hernia Clinic was established at 108 Harley Street.

 

In 1995, the pioneering work on Gilmore’s Groin, which has resulted in the rapid restoration of many sportsmen’s careers, was recognised nationally by the award of Fellowship of the Institute of Sports Medicine.

 

In 2001, The Island Sports Fitness Centre in Hook was established as a Centre of Excellence by Jerry Gilmore for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with sporting and other injuries.

 

Simon Marsh MA MD FRCS Eng FRCS (Gen Surg) trained at Trinity College, Cambridge and The Clinical School, Addenbrooke’s Hospital. He is one of the few students to have been awarded the William Harvey Studentship in consecutive years. He qualified in 1987, having been awarded a BA in 1985. In 1992 he was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in England and granted an MA from Cambridge.

 

In 1996, he was awarded an MD by the University of Cambridge and received the Intercollegiate Fellowship in General Surgery.  In 1999, having been appointed a Consultant Surgeon in Colchester, he joined 108 Harley Street.

 

Following qualification he developed an interest in sports medicine and has advised on many sports, including equestrian events, motorcycle speedway and rugby. Since joining the Gilmore Groin and Hernia Clinic his expertise has helped him to be adept and experienced in assessing, diagnosing and treating patients, not only with Gilmore’s Groin but patients with different types of hernias.

 

Although some people refer to it as a Sportman’s Hernia there is no true hernia present. Groin disruption (Gilmore’s Groin) is a severe musculo-tendinous injury of the groin, which can be successfully treated by the surgical restoration of normal anatomy.

 

The symptoms are pain in the groin increased by running, sprinting, twisting and turning, and kicking. After sport, the patient is stiff and sore. The day after a game, turning or getting out of bed or a car often causes pain, as may coughing, sneezing and sit-ups. There is a history of specific injury in only 30% of patients – usually over stretching, abduction and eversion injuries. Symptoms usually indicate it is an overuse (wear and tear) injury.

 

40% of patients diagnosed with Gilmore’s Groin also have torn adductors. Minor and moderate tears usually respond to adductor exercises and physiotherapy. Patient’s with severe adductor tears require adductor tenotomy or release.

The success of surgery for Gilmore’s Groin depends on accurate diagnosis, meticulous repair of each element of the disruption and intensive rehabilitation according to a standard rehabilitation programme. Surgery is indicated in sportsmen who are unable to play or fail to respond to rehabilitation. The surgical treatment consists of restoring normal anatomy with a six-layered structure repair of the inguinal region. Adductor tenotomy is indicated in patients with persistent and troublesome adductor tears which do not respond to conservative treatment.

 

Patients are admitted on the day of operation and return home after physiotherapy, usually within 24 hours. The standard rehabilitation programme is then followed.

 

Over the past 25 years, the operation has been successfully performed on over 364 international sportsmen and women.

 

Your hospital physiotherapist will show you how to do various exercises especially those which activate the “core stability” muscles.  While exercising, and afterwards, some discomfort will be experienced at the repair and adductor insertion site. Provided you adhere to the programme and avoid sudden sharp movements, you will suffer no harm. Stiffness and discomfort will occur the day after vigorous exercises and for this reason, some form of exercise is advised 7 days a week. Swelling at the operation site takes 8 to 12 weeks to clear completely.

 

A hernia is a protrusion of a viscus (organ) beyond its normal confines. This produces a swelling which if clears when you lie down, is known as a reducible hernia, or irreducible if it fails to clear. The most common types of hernia requiring surgery are:

 

A written estimate of the surgeon’s fees is provided before the operation. Patients who are insured are advised to contact their insurers prior to admission to check their cover for hospital and medical fees.

 

Procedures performed in the treatment rooms are subject to a hospital charge as well as the consultant’s fees. These charges have been agreed with all the major UK medical insurance companies and does not affect the out-patient allowance.

 

Inclusive packages for uninsured patients are available on request. The inclusive package fee covers the cost of surgery, anaesthesia and hospitalisation. Payment is required in advance of the operation.

 

The Gilmore Groin & Hernia Clinic

108 Harley St

London W1G 7ET

Tel:  +44 (0)20 7563 1234

Fax: +44 (0)20 7563 1212

Email: info@108harleystreet.co.uk

Web: Visit the Gilmore Groin & Hernia Clinic website