Sports Hernia (Athletic Pubalgia)

Sports Hernia (Athletic Pubalgia) – Do you play hockey, soccer, wrestle, ski, run, jump hurdles, or play football? During your activities, are you constantly changing directions or twisting your body? If so, you are likely to experience a sports hernia at some point in your athletic career. Read the information below to learn more.

What is a sports hernia?

● A sports hernia is a painful, soft tissue injury that occurs in the groin area. Sports hernias are different from traditional hernias, which occur in the inguinal canal.

Causes

● A sports hernia often occurs during sports that require repeated, sudden movements and a change in direction or twisting movements.
o May lead to abdominal hernias.
o Causes a strain or tear of the tendon muscle or ligament in the lower abdomen or groin area.
● Muscles often most affected are the oblique muscles in the lower abdomen and the tendons that attach the oblique muscles to the pubic bone.
● Tendons that attach the thigh muscle to the pubic bone (adductors) are often stretched or torn.

Symptoms

● A sports hernia can cause acute severe groin pain, which improves with rest but returns with sports activity and twisting movements (reaggravated).
● Overtime, a sports hernia can become an inguinal hernia.
● Without treatment, the injury can become chronic and debilitating, thereby preventing an athlete’s return to the sport.

Diagnosis

Multiple tests for diagnosis:

● Assessment of how injury occurred
● Physical exam to rule out inguinal hernia
● Test range of motion (ROM) and motor strength

Note: If diagnosis and severity of injury cannot be determined, an X-ray of the pelvis, along with an ultrasound scan (US) and CT/MRI, may be ordered to assess bones, nerves, and soft tissue.

Treatment

● Rest
● Ice
● NSAIDs to reduce swelling and pain in the inner thigh and abdomen
● Surgery depending on the severity of the injury