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Sports Hernia
What is a sports hernia?
A sports hernia oocurs anywhere from umbilicus to mid thigh and include all of the different tissue layers inlcuding skin, fat, nerves vessels, muscle fascia, bones and tendons. There are many different types of sports hernias and some include more than pain from one area. Some are a combination of injuries. Most are identifiable by the nerve of injury or involvment.
Some injuries invlive the hip and cause pain in the groin area. These are usually aggravated by more movement of the leg.
What is the inguinal canal?
The inguinal canal is a region in the lower abdomen, just above the groin. The canal is formed by the insertions of abdominal muscles and tendons, as well as several ligaments. Within the inguinal canal travels the spermatic cord (in males) or the round ligament (in females). This area of the abdomen is prone to weakening of the abdominal wall, allowing an outpouching, or hernia, to form.
I have strong abdominal muscles, how can I have a sports hernia?
The problem with the abdominal wall in people with a sports hernia is not a muscle strength issue. Rather, the abdominal wall in a particular region is too thin, allowing the hernia to form. The sports hernia does not occur in the area of the large, thick part of the muscle.
What are the symptoms of a sports hernia?
A sports hernia typically begins with a slow onset of aching pain in the lower abdominal region. Symptoms may include:
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Pain in the groin
- Pain in the testicle (in males)
Typically the symptoms are exacerbated with activities such as running, cutting, and bending forward. Patients may also have increased symptoms when coughing or sneezing. Sports hernias are most common in athletes that have to maintain a bent forward position, such as hockey players. However, sports hernias are also found in many other types of athletes such as football and soccer players.
How is a sports hernia diagnosed?
The diagnosis of a sports hernia is determined based on the combination of the patient's history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Recently, the use of MRI tests has become more common in looking for signs of a sports hernia. Previously, the MRI was primarily used to look for other causes of groin pain, but recent research has found some characteristic findings on an MRI in patients with a sports hernia.
What is the treatment of a sports hernia?
There are no treatments that have been shown to be effective for sports hernia other than surgery. That said, the initial treatment of a sports hernia is always conservative in hopes that the symptoms will resolve. Resting from activity, anti-inflammatory medications, ice treatments, and physical therapy can all be tried in an effort to alleviate the patient's symptoms.
If these measures do not relieve the symptoms of a sports hernia, surgery may be recommended to repair the weakened area of the abdominal wall. In number of studies have shown between 65% and 90% of athletes are able to return to their activity after surgery for a sports hernia. Rehabilitation from surgery for a sports hernia usually takes about eight weeks.
