Everything You Need to Know About Sports Hernia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

A sports hernia, despite its name, isn't a traditional hernia in the way you might think. This article discusses everything you need to know about it.

Understanding Sports Hernia

When you hear "sports hernia," it's easy to think of it as something only affecting elite athletes, but that's not entirely true. While it's certainly more common among professional soccer players, hockey players, and other athletes in sports that demand explosive movements, anyone participating in vigorous physical activities can be at risk. In fact, studies suggest that sports hernias account for up to 5% of all sports-related injuries.

A sports hernia involves a tear or strain in the soft tissues of the lower abdomen or groin area, particularly where the abdominal muscles attach to the pubic bone. This happens because this area is subjected to significant stress during activities that involve sudden directional changes or twists. 

It's also important to recognize that the term "sports hernia" can be a bit misleading. Medically, it's often referred to as athletic pubalgia. This condition, while painful and limiting, doesn't involve a herniation of tissue, as you might see in an inguinal hernia. The name is primarily due to its association with sports and the general location of the injury.

Causes of Sports Hernia

The primary cause of a sports hernia is the repetitive and intense physical activity that leads to an imbalance or weakness in the muscles of your core and groin area. Imagine you’re sprinting down the field, making a sharp cut to avoid an opponent, or twisting your torso to throw a powerful shot. These movements are common examples of the type of actions that can lead to a sports hernia. 

Another factor that can contribute to the development of a sports hernia is muscle imbalances, particularly in the core region. Your core isn't just about having a six-pack; it’s about the network of muscles that stabilize your entire body during movement. When there’s an imbalance—say, if your abdominal muscles are strong but your lower back or hip muscles are weaker—this can create uneven forces on your pelvis and groin area, making you more prone to injury.

In addition to muscle imbalances, poor conditioning or overuse can also lead to a sports hernia. If you’ve been pushing yourself hard without allowing your body adequate time to recover, or if your training routine lacks the necessary variety and conditioning exercises to keep your core and groin muscles strong and flexible, you may be at higher risk. Over time, this can lead to wear and tear on the muscles and tendons, eventually causing a sports hernia.

Symptoms of Sports Hernia

The most common symptom of a sports hernia is pain in the groin area, usually on one side, although it can occasionally affect both sides. This pain typically begins during intense physical activity, especially the ones we mentioned above (those involving sudden twists, turns, or directional changes). You might notice it as a sharp or burning sensation, which can be particularly intense during the moments when you’re pushing your body hardest.

This pain, however, is quite easy to miss at first. You might chalk it up to a minor strain or simply being sore from a tough workout. However, as time goes on, the pain can become more persistent and it might start to affect you during everyday activities, like walking or standing for long periods, not just during sports. 

Another symptom to be aware of is the pain that radiates to other areas, particularly the lower abdomen, inner thigh, or even the testicles in men. This radiating pain occurs because the injury affects the network of muscles and tendons connected to your pelvis and groin. You might find that this pain becomes more noticeable when you cough, sneeze, or engage in movements that increase intra-abdominal pressure.

Stiffness or tightness in the groin is another symptom that often accompanies a sports hernia. This can be particularly noticeable after you’ve been resting, such as first thing in the morning or after sitting for an extended period. 

Diagnosis of Sports Hernia

Diagnosing a sports hernia can be particularly challenging, primarily because its symptoms closely resemble those of other groin-related injuries.

When you visit a healthcare professional with groin pain that might indicate a sports hernia, the first step in the diagnostic process is usually physical examination. Your doctor will likely begin by asking about your symptoms, including the type of pain you’re experiencing, when it occurs, and what activities seem to aggravate it. 

During the physical exam, your doctor will press on the affected area to check for tenderness and other signs of injury. They might ask you to perform specific movements, such as a sit-up or twist, to see if these actions elicit pain. 

However, because a sports hernia doesn’t produce a visible bulge like a traditional hernia, and because the pain can sometimes be vague or diffuse, imaging tests such as MRI or ultrasound might be recommended to confirm the diagnosis. 

In some cases, your doctor might also suggest a diagnostic injection. In this procedure, a local anesthetic is injected into the suspected area of injury. If the pain subsides significantly following the injection, it’s a strong indicator that the area targeted by the injection is indeed the source of the problem. 

It’s also important to consider the possibility of other conditions that might mimic the symptoms of a sports hernia. This is known as differential diagnosis, and it’s a critical part of the diagnostic process. Conditions such as hip labral tears, inguinal hernias, or adductor strains can present with similar symptoms, so your doctor will work to rule these out through a combination of physical examination, imaging, and sometimes additional tests.

Treatment Options for Sports Hernia

When it comes to treating a sports hernia, the approach often depends on the severity of your symptoms and how long you've been dealing with the pain. 

For many people with a sports hernia, the first line of treatment is non-surgical. This typically involves a combination of rest, physical therapy, and pain management strategies. 

However, while non-surgical treatments can be successful, they are not always sufficient for everyone. If your symptoms persist despite conservative treatment, or if the pain is severe enough to significantly impact your quality of life, surgical intervention may be necessary. Surgery for sports hernia typically involves repairing the torn or weakened tissues in the groin area. There are different surgical techniques available, with the most common being open repair and laparoscopic repair.

Open repair surgery involves a larger incision and allows the surgeon direct access to the injured tissues. This method is often chosen when there is significant damage that needs to be addressed. On the other hand, laparoscopic repair is a minimally invasive technique that uses small incisions and specialized instruments to repair the injury.

The recovery timeline following surgery for a sports hernia can vary depending on the specific procedure and the individual’s overall health. Generally, most people can expect to return to light activities within a few weeks, with a gradual progression to more intense physical activity over the course of a few months. 

Prevention of Sports Hernia

Preventing a sports hernia is a crucial consideration for anyone involved in high-intensity sports or activities that require rapid changes in direction, twisting, or pivoting. While it's impossible to eliminate all risks, there are effective strategies you can implement to reduce your chances of developing this painful condition. 

One of the most effective ways to prevent a sports hernia is through targeted strengthening exercises, particularly those focused on the core muscles. A good core-strengthening program can help you build the stability needed to withstand the rigors of high-intensity sports. 

Another factor to consider in the prevention of sports hernias is the use of appropriate equipment. This includes everything from the shoes you wear to the surfaces you train on. Wearing shoes that provide adequate support and cushioning can help absorb some of the impact and reduce the strain on your lower body, particularly your groin and hips. Similarly, training on surfaces that have some give—such as grass or turf, as opposed to concrete—can reduce the impact forces transmitted to your body, helping to prevent injuries. 

Finally, regular health check-ups and screenings are an important preventive measure, especially if you’re an athlete or regularly engage in strenuous physical activity. 

If you or a loved one is going through this condition, the right immediate care is essential. Our team at Hernia Innovations can help diagnose the problem and suggest treatment options based on your specific conditions. Our clinic is equipped with the latest technology and all our hernia experts are highly experienced in performing minimally invasive procedures to ensure a quicker recovery and better outcomes. 

‍Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward healing with confidence.