Sports Hernia Rehab
Sports hernias are not the same as other hernias you may have suffered in the past. A sports hernia typically occurs due to stress provided through physical activity. This type of injury can sideline you for long periods of time. For an elite athlete in a strenuous sport, a sports hernia can endanger his entire career. Recovery and rehabilitation are possible, but they need to be performed with care.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Difference From Other Hernias
More common hernias -- inguinal hernias -- occur in the inguinal canal, a part of your muscles near the abdominals. A sports hernia, on the other hand, is caused by a strain or tear of the soft tissues in your lower abdominal muscles or groin, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1. This tear can occur in the muscle itself or also in the tendons or ligaments of the abdominals.
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Initial treatment for a sports hernia can take place at home and largely relies on the body healing itself. Your rehabilitation process is largely passive. For example, you will need to eliminate physical activity and rest the abdominals for seven to 10 days after the injury occurs. Apply ice several times a day and use compression or a wrap over the abdominals to relieve pain resulting from a bulge. Take anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen to relieve inflammation, swelling and pain. Seek out physical therapy from a licensed physical therapist to use stretching and exercises to heal the hernia. Physical therapy can heal a sports hernia after four to six weeks of regular treatment, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1.
- Initial treatment for a sports hernia can take place at home and largely relies on the body healing itself.
- For example, you will need to eliminate physical activity and rest the abdominals for seven to 10 days after the injury occurs.
Rehab After Surgery
Surgery may be required to heal a sports hernia if a partial or complete tear develops in your soft tissues. Following this, you will need a short recovery period from the surgery before beginning physical therapy. This is very similar to the physical therapy you should perform for a minor sports hernia, but because of the severity of your injury the therapy may take longer to heal your abdominals.
- Surgery may be required to heal a sports hernia if a partial or complete tear develops in your soft tissues.
- This is very similar to the physical therapy you should perform for a minor sports hernia, but because of the severity of your injury the therapy may take longer to heal your abdominals.
Considerations
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In some cases the pain of a sports hernia will dissipate after some time spent resting, but this does not always mean the hernia has healed. Pain can reoccur once you resume sports or physical activities. You should keep in mind that unlike with inguinal hernias, sports hernias do not always cause visible bulges underneath the skin. Failure to properly heal a sports hernia can lead to chronic pain that impedes your ability to participate in sports and physical activities.
- In some cases the pain of a sports hernia will dissipate after some time spent resting, but this does not always mean the hernia has healed.
- You should keep in mind that unlike with inguinal hernias, sports hernias do not always cause visible bulges underneath the skin.
Related Articles
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Sports Hernia
- Science Daily; Sports Hernia Repair Surgery Plus Innovative Rehab Program Helps Athletes Return To Play; July 2007
- Farber AJ, Wilckens JH. Sports hernia: diagnosis and therapeutic approach. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2007;15(8):507-14. doi:10.5435/00124635-200708000-00007
- Minnich JM, Hanks JB, Muschaweck U, Brunt LM, Diduch DR. Sports hernia: diagnosis and treatment highlighting a minimal repair surgical technique. Am J Sports Med. 2011;39(6):1341-9. doi:10.1177/0363546511402807
- Khan W, Zoga AC, Meyers WC. Magnetic resonance imaging of athletic pubalgia and the sports hernia: current understanding and practice. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 2013;21(1):97-110. doi:10.1016/j.mric.2012.09.008
- Shetty VD, Shetty NS, Shetty AP. Groin pain in athletes: a novel diagnostic approach. SICOT J. 2015;1:16. doi:10.1051/sicotj/2015017
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Sports hernia (athletic pubalgia). Updated June 2017.
Writer Bio
Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.