Hernias – Types, Treatment & Recovery

Hernias are a common health issue that can be experienced by adult men and women, teenage, and even children, and they usually occur as the result of fatty tissue progressing through a spot within a nearby muscle. However, there are multiple forms of hernias, including sports hernias – which is a condition that is not officially considered to be hernia by the medical community.

Defining Sports Hernias And Hernias

If that appears to be confusing, it demonstrates the need to define the specific nature of a sports hernia and compare this condition to other forms of hernias. A sports hernia is officially referred to as an athletic pubalgia by health professionals, refers to a condition that usually emerges in the lower region of the abdomen. This is considered to be a soft tissue injury, and this issue transpires due to a sudden movement that involves twisting or a change in direction, which can often occur during sports activities such as football, hockey, soccer, and wrestling.

When this type of movement causes a tear or strain in the tendons, ligaments or muscles that can be found in the lower abdomen or groin, then the injury is considered to be a sports hernia. this remains true even though the condition is officially labeled by medical professionals as an athletic pubalgia – which was previously mentioned.

While this condition can eventually evolve into an abdominal hernia, these two issues are not identical. Instead, the most common hernia involves a protrusion of the abdominal wall by a portion of the intestine that has separated. This scenario can occur in the aftermath of weakened muscles and excessive strain in that area. This is the most frequent form of hernia that patients must contend with and is referred to as an inguinal hernia.

These hernias do not usually develop into a serious problem. However, the situation can become more concerning if the separated area that has progressed into the abdominal wall is squeezed sufficiently for the supply of blood to be blocked.

A less common form of hernia is referred to as femoral which is usually experienced by women. Coughing and straining can provide the trigger for this issue, although it remains rare. Umbilical hernias can emerge in newborns when a portion of the small intestine advances through the abdominal wall, while Hiatal hernias involve an area of the upper stomach progressing through the hiatus, which is an opening in the diaphragm.

Symptoms of Sports Hernias (Athletic Pubalgias)

These conditions stand in contrast to the primary topic of this article, which is the issue that is commonly known as a sports hernia (athletic pubalgia). This injury will often create significant pain in the groin area at the moment that it occurs. Resting can decrease discomfort, although any improvement can be temporary if you return to an activity that involves the same body movement that caused the injury.

Since a sports hernia can eventually become an inguinal hernia, the symptoms of this more common form of hernia can also emerge if you forego rest and treatment for your sports hernia.

When You Should Visit A Doctor

Since the pain of a sports hernia is usually experienced at the moment the injury occurs, it is highly possible that you will be suspicious that you have encountered this condition. If that is the case, then It is recommended that you consult with a physician. When you do, he or she will likely discuss your symptoms, your concerns, and the specifics of the activities that you have been involved with.

If your doctor determines that you probably are contending with a sports hernia, he or she will conduct a physical examination. This could include requesting that you attempt to sit up while your physician provides resistance with his or her hand as you try to lift yourself. This process will be painful if you are dealing with a sports hernia.

Your physician might also request x-rays or an MRI in order to verify the existence of a sports hernia.

Treatment For Sports Hernias
(Athletic Pubalgias)

If the diagnosis confirms that you are contending with a sports hernia, then the initial treatment could easily involve simple rest. After several weeks, you might begin physical therapy that would be designed to increase your strength and flexibility in the abdomen. It is also possible that your doctor would prescribe non-steroid all anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen in order to decrease swelling and discomfort. If your symptoms linger over a protracted amount of time, then your physician might discuss a cortisone injection in order to combat these symptoms.

If surgery eventually becomes a recommended step in your treatment, It might be helpful to know that over 90% of patients who undergo surgery after the initial non-surgical treatment successfully return to normal activities.

At Orthopedic Associates, We Are Here To Help

If you have any questions or concerns about sports hernias, or if you believe that you might be contending with this condition, the experienced and knowledgeable staff at Orthopedic Associates is ready to assist you. We are dedicated to making sure that you can return to pain-free participation in the activities and lifestyle that you prefer.  

That is why Orthopedic Associates offers a full spectrum of musculoskeletal care, along with in-house physical sports therapy, and state-of-the-art-technology including our digital imaging and open MRI, and an on-site surgical center for more patient convenience.

Our board-certified doctors have been practicing medicine for a combined total of 183 years. This includes expertise in personalized care and treatment for a vast range of conditions that include sports hernias, along with a wide range of issues that can transpire with the hip.

• Anatomy of the Hip Joint
• Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of the Hip
• Bursitis of the Hip (Trochanteric Bursitis)
• Degenerative Joint Disease of the Hip (Osteoarthritis of the Hip)
• Femoral Fractures
• Femoral-Acetabular Impingement (FAI)
• Hamstring Muscle Injuries
• Hip Dislocation
• HipFracture/Prevention
• Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)
• Inflammatory Arthritis of the Hip
• Labral Tears of the Hip
• Loose Bodies in the Hip
• Muscle Strain Injuries of the Hip
• Osteoarthritis of the Hip
• Osteomyelitis
• Pediatric Femoral Fractures
• Perthes Disease
• Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)
• Snapping Hip Syndrome
• Sports Hernia
• Transient Osteoporosis of the Hip

At Orthopedics Associates we are also extremely experienced in performing various treatments and surgeries for the hip. These include:

• Absorbable Antibiotic Bead Treatment for Osteomyelitis
• Anesthesia
• Arthroscopic Surgery for Femoral-Acetabular Impingement (FAI)
• Bone Cement Injection
• Bone Density Scan (DXA or DEXA)
• Cold Laser Therapy
• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
• Computer-Assisted Hip Replacement Surgery
• Core Decompression for Avascular Necrosis of the Hip
• Femur Fracture Fixation
• Fluoroscopic Guided Hip Injection
• Hip Arthroscopy
• Hip Fracture Treatment with Surgical Screws
• Hip Hemiarthroplasty (Bipolar/Unipolar)
• Internal Screw Fixation for Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)
• Large Bearing Metal-On-Metal Mini Total Hip
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Mini Total Hip Replacement
• Osteoporosis Screening
• Periacetabular Osteotomy
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection Ove
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
• Revision Hip Surgery
• Stem Cell Therapy for Avascular Necrosis of the Hip
• Surgical Dislocation and Debridement for FAI
• Total Hip Replacement
• Total/Partial Hip Resurfacing
• Ultrasound-Guided Ilioinguinal Nerve Block

We encourage you to visit one of our Orthopedic Associates two locations or request an appointment today to be on your way to feeling better.