A sports hernia occurs when there is a weakening of the muscles or tendons of the lower abdominal wall. This part of the abdomen is the same region where an inguinal hernia occurs, called the inguinal canal. When an inguinal hernia occurs there is sufficient weakening of the abdominal wall to allow a pouch, the hernia, to be felt. In the case of a sports hernia, the problem is due to a weakening in the same abdominal wall muscles, but there is no palpable hernia.
Common Symptoms of a Sports Hernia
- pain in the lower abdomen or groin
- pain when bending, cutting or lateral movement
- pain radiating to the testicles
- pain in the affected area with sneezing or coughing
- or even a tearing sensation at the point of injury
The initial treatment for a sports hernia is rest. It is recommended to discontinue activities which may aggravate the injury. Treatment should include icing the area for 20 minutes 3 to 4 times a day. A health care provider may also suggest anti-inflammatory medication and/or physical therapy. If the symptoms do not resolve after six to eight weeks, another course of action is necessary.
Surgery is only required in cases that do not improve with non-operative treatment. But, due to the nature of the injury, conventional treatments usually do not resolve a sports hernia. The actual surgical procedure varies depending on the pathology of the injury. Since, a variety of injuries are grouped as sports hernia, it is difficult to identify a single surgical protocol for all sports hernias.
