Sports hernia

Sports hernia does not fit the common definition of a "hernia," where an organ or soft tissue protrudes outside its normal cavity. There is no defect in the abdominal wall or herniation of the abdominal contents with a sports hernia. Injury occurs in the form of tears and weakening in the deep layers of the abdominal wall. Other common terms for a sports hernia include "sportsman's hernia" and "hockey groin."

Repetitive hip and pelvic motions typical in sports can cause injury to the lower abdominal area. Imbalances between the hip and abdominal muscles can, over time, cause overuse and injury. Weakness and lack of conditioning in the abdominals also might contribute to the injury. Ironically, aggressive and unsafe abdominal exercise programs can also cause or aggravate a sports hernia.

A sports hernia usually occurs where the abdominal muscles attach in your pelvis. There is no protrusion of organs in a sports hernia, but there are tears in tendons and muscles, such as those surrounding the hip. This makes the term "hernia" a misnomer, as the term hernia means when organs from your abdomen come out through spaces, such as the inguinal canal. Nerve irritation can also occur with a sports hernia, contributing to the uncomfortable symptoms.

Conservative treatment of sports hernia includes rest and physical therapy. Your physical therapist at Pinnacle will provide treatments to target the key problems found during the examination. Your therapist will design an individualized treatment program for you that targets your condition and goals to help you safely return to your sport or normal activity levels. Some cases of more severe injury may require surgery.

Most patients with a sports hernia are advised to first attempt a conservative course of treatment for four to six weeks. If groin pain continues to occur after that time, surgery may be recommended. If you decide to have surgery, your therapist can help you regain your strength and flexibility following the procedure.

A sports hernia is a challenging condition to prevent because of the inherent stress and strain placed on the pelvis and hips during certain sports. That being said, a prevention program should be directed at those at the highest risk - males participating in soccer, hockey, and football. Focus on abdominal and core stabilization exercises that strengthen the hip adductor muscle, and exercises to help decrease stress around the pelvis and lower abdominal area - where the sports hernia injury often occurs.

If you are experiencing any pain, give Pinnacle Physical Therapy a call today. We get results! We have two convenient locations: Post Falls (208) 777-4242 or Coeur d'Alene (208) 665-2000. Check out our website for more information: www.pinnaclephysicaltherapy.org.