The pain in Erik Karlsson’s groin area has cast light on one of ice hockey’s most common injuries. Sports medicine specialists say groin pain is difficult to diagnose and treat because it can signal varying problems.
A groin injury “is a catch-all term for pain” in the pelvic and hip region, said Travis G. Maak, Utah Jazz team physician and University of Utah associate professor of orthopaedics. “It’s not really a diagnosis, per se.”
Karlsson’s health has been one of the major storylines of the Sharks’ first-round NHL playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights.