Treatment options may include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These can help reduce swelling and pain associated with a sports hernia. Rest: Taking time off from regular physical activity can help with the healing process.
What are the treatment options for a sports hernia?
Some cases of sports hernia require cutting of a small nerve in the groin (inguinal nerve) during the surgery to relieve the patient's pain. This procedure is called an inquinal neurectomy. Your doctor will discuss the surgical procedure that best meets your needs. Surgical rehabilitation.
What causes inguinal hernias in teens?
Nearly all cases of inguinal hernias in teens are due to a congenital defect of the inguinal canal. Instead of closing tightly, the canal leaves a space for the intestines to slide into. If you have an inguinal hernia, you might be able to see a bulge where your thigh and your groin meet.
What type of surgeon should treat adolescent inguinal hernias?
This finding suggests that further study is needed to determine the optimal treatment for inguinal hernias in adolescents, as the type of practitioner to whom the patient is r … Treatment of routine adolescent inguinal hernia vastly differs between pediatric surgeons and general surgeons Surg Endosc.
How to diagnose and treat inguinal hernia?
Inguinal hernia 1 Diagnosis. A physical exam is usually all that's needed to diagnose an inguinal hernia. ... 2 Treatment. If your hernia is small and isn't bothering you, your doctor might recommend watchful waiting. ... 3 Clinical trials. ... 4 Preparing for your appointment. ...
Can you play sports with a inguinal hernia?
A reducible inguinal hernia is one that will appear when standing or during activities but will fall back into the abdominal cavity with gentile pressure. You are essentially able to push, or “reduce”, the hernia back into the abdomen. If this hernia is small enough, then it is likely ok to continue playing football.
How do you fix a small inguinal hernia?
Inguinal hernias can be repaired using surgery to push the bulge back into place and strengthen the weakness in the abdominal wall. The operation is usually recommended if you have a hernia that causes pain, severe or persistent symptoms, or if any serious complications develop.
Can a sports hernia Be Fixed?
Much like the surgical options for true hernias, sports hernia repair can be done as a traditional, open surgery with one long incision or as a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure. In an endoscopy, the surgeon makes multiple small incisions and uses a tubelike camera, called an endoscope, to see inside the abdomen.
Should a small inguinal hernia be repaired?
If your hernia does not bother you, most likely you can wait to have surgery. Your hernia may get worse, but it may not. Over time, hernias tend to get bigger as the muscle wall of the belly gets weaker and more tissue bulges through. In some cases small, painless hernias never need repair.
How is a minor hernia treated?
Inguinal Hernia Treatment Surgery is the only way to fix an inguinal hernia. The doctor will push the bulging tissue back inside and strengthen your abdominal wall with stitches and perhaps mesh. They might be able to do this through a small cut in your belly using a special tool, a procedure called laparoscopy.
What is the best repair for inguinal hernia?
Today, standard polypropylene mesh still seems to be the choice for inguinal hernia repairs. Its use provides low recurrence and complication rates.
How do you treat a sports hernia without surgery?
Non-surgical treatments are effective in 90% of sports hernias and may include the following treatments:Rest. Your doctor may recommend halting physical activity for 7 to 10 days to allow the injury to rest and recover.Ice. ... Medicine. ... Injections. ... Physical therapy.
How is a sports hernia treated?
Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and/or corticosteroids are often needed to treat a sports hernia. In some cases, surgery is needed. A groin injury that is not a sports hernia, such as a mild muscle strain, could heal on its own.
How do you treat a sports hernia at home?
Natural Remedies For a Sports HerniaIce and Heat. Ice is a common method for pain relief but may be especially effective when coping with a sports hernia. ... Ginger. One of the most powerful natural anti-inflammatories is ginger. ... Massage and Meditation.
Can you live with a small inguinal hernia?
An inguinal hernia isn't necessarily dangerous. It doesn't improve on its own, however, and can lead to life-threatening complications. Your doctor is likely to recommend surgery to fix an inguinal hernia that's painful or enlarging.
What is a small hernia size?
The hernia defect was classified using the classification proposed by the European Hernia Society, i.e. small hernias had diameters <2 cm, medium size hernias had diameters between 2–4 cm and large hernias had diameters >4 cm (Muysoms et al.
How do you push an inguinal hernia back in?
Most inguinal hernias can be pushed back into the belly with gentle massage and pressure. An inguinal hernia will not heal on its own. If you have symptoms, or the hernia is growing, you may need surgery. Some surgeons recommend repair of all groin hernias in women.
What is a sports hernia?
A sports hernia is a painful, soft tissue injury that occurs in the groin area. It most often occurs during sports that require sudden changes of direction or intense twisting movements. Although a sports hernia may lead to a traditional, abdominal hernia, it is a different injury. A sports hernia is a strain or tear of any soft tissue (muscle, ...
What tests are done to check for a sports hernia?
Imaging Tests. After your doctor completes a thorough exam, he or she may order xrays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan s to help determine whether you have a sports hernia. Occasionally, bone scans or other tests are recommended to rule out other possible causes of the pain.
Where do sports hernias occur?
Sports hernias often occur where the abdominals and adductors attach at the pubic bone. Traditional hernias occur in the inguinal canal.
What muscles are affected by a sports hernia?
Anatomy. The soft tissues most frequently affected by sports hernia are the oblique muscles in the lower abdomen. Especially vulnerable are the tendons that attach the oblique muscles to the pubic bone. In many cases of sports hernia, the tendons that attach the thigh muscles to the pubic bone (adductors) are also stretched or torn.
Why is it called an athlete's pubalgia?
Because different tissues may be affected and a traditional hernia may not exist , the medical community prefers the term "athletic pubalgia" to refer to this type of injury. The general public and media are more familiar with "sports hernia," however, and this term will be used for the remainder of this article.
How to repair a torn groin?
Surgery to repair the torn tissues in the groin can be done as a traditional, open procedure with one long incision, or as an endoscopic procedure. In an endoscopy, the surgeon makes smaller skin incisions and uses a small camera, called an endoscope, to see inside the abdomen.
How to tell if you have a sports hernia?
Physical Tests . To help determine whether you have a sports hernia, your doctor will likely ask you to do a sit-up or flex your trunk against resistance . If you have a sports hernia, these tests will be painful. A common sign of sports hernia is pain during a resisted sit-up.
How to treat a small hernia?
Treatment. If your hernia is small and isn't bothering you, your doctor might recommend watchful waiting. Sometimes, wearing a supportive truss may help relieve symptoms, but check with your doctor first because it's important that the truss fits properly, and is being used appropriately. In children, the doctor might try applying manual pressure ...
How to diagnose an inguinal hernia?
A physical exam is usually all that's needed to diagnose an inguinal hernia. Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you'll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain.
How does an open hernia repair work?
In this procedure, which might be done with local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in your groin and pushes the protruding tissue back into your abdomen. The surgeon then sews the weakened area, often reinforcing it with a synthetic mesh (hernioplasty).
How does a hernia surgery work?
The surgeon may use laparoscopic or robotic instruments to repair your hernia. Gas is used to inflate your abdomen to make the internal organs easier to see.
Can a hernia recur after surgery?
Minimally invasive hernia surgery allows the surgeon to avoid scar tissue from an earlier hernia repair, so it might be a good choice for people whose hernias recur after open hernia surgery. It also might be a good choice for people with hernias on both sides of the body (bilateral).
Why do teens have inguinal hernias?
Nearly all cases of inguinal hernias in teens are due to a congenital defect of the inguinal canal. Instead of closing tightly, the canal leaves a space for the intestines to slide into. If you have an inguinal hernia, you might be able to see a bulge where your thigh and your groin meet.
How to keep hernias from hurting?
Here are a few tips for keeping hernias from hurting you: Stay at a healthy weight for your height and body type. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian about a healthy eating and exercise program if you think you are overweight or obese. Make fruits, veggies, and whole grains a "regular" part of your diet.
What is the name of the hernia that protrudes through the lower part of the abdomen?
Inguinal Hernias. Inguinal (pronounced: IN-gwuh-nul) hernias are more likely to occur in guys than girls. More than 70% of all hernias that occur are inguinal hernias, which means that a part of the intestines protrudes through an opening in the lower part of the abdomen, near the groin, called the inguinal canal.
What is the inguinal canal?
In guys, the inguinal canal is a passageway between the abdomen and the scrotum through which a cord called the spermatic cord passes (the testicles hang from the spermatic cord). In girls, the inguinal canal is the passageway for a ligament that holds the uterus in place. Nearly all cases of inguinal hernias in teens are due to a congenital defect ...
What is an incisional hernia?
Incisional Hernias. If you've had surgery in your abdominal area, you might experience this type of hernia. In incisional hernias, part of the intestines bulge through the abdomen around a surgical incision. In this case, surgery actually weakened the muscle tissue in the abdomen.
When do umbilical hernias occur?
They occur when part of the intestines bulge through the abdominal wall next to the belly button. In babies with umbilical hernias, parents may see bulging around the belly button area when the baby cries.
What is a hernia in a muscle?
A hernia (pronounced: HUR-nee-uh) is an opening or weakness in the wall of a muscle, tissue, or membrane that normally holds an organ in place. If the opening or weakness is large enough, a portion of the organ may be able to poke through the hole. Imagine an inner tube poking through a hole in an old tire — that's what a hernia is like.
Overview
A sports hernia (also called athletic pubalgia, sportsman’s hernia and Gilmore’s groin) is an injury (usually a tear) in the muscles and/or tendons in your lower abdomen or groin that causes chronic pain.
Symptoms and Causes
A sports hernia (athletic pubalgia) happens when the deep layers of your lower abdominal wall or the tendons that attach muscles to your pelvis weaken or tear. The following situations can cause or contribute to a sports hernia:
Diagnosis and Tests
Sports hernias can be difficult to diagnose because many conditions and injuries can cause pain in your groin area, such as hip-joint osteoarthrosis, rectal or testicular pain, or a fracture of the pelvis. In addition, you can feel pain in your groin area from injuries that originate in other parts of your body such as your leg.
Management and Treatment
In general, the goals of sports hernia treatment and rehabilitation are to relieve pain, restore range of motion, restore strength, return function and return to sports and activities.
Prevention
Sports hernias (athletic pubalgia) can be difficult to prevent because of the stress and strain placed on the pelvis and hips in certain sports. Your healthcare team may recommend a sports hernia prevention program if you are at high risk for a core muscle or tendon injury due to the type of sport you play.
Living With
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a sports hernia (athletic pubalgia) be sure to contact your healthcare provider. Sports hernias do not generally heal on their own, so you’ll likely need treatment.
What is a direct inguinal hernia?
Direct inguinal hernias: This type of hernia usually occurs in adult males. These are most often caused by a weakness in the muscles of the abdominal wall that develops over time, or are due to straining or heavy lifting. Hernias can be on one or both sides of the abdomen.
Why is an inguinal hernia more common?
Direct inguinal hernias are more common later in life because the abdominal wall weakens with age. An inguinal hernia is usually not dangerous. However, it can be painful, especially when lifting, bending, straining with a bowel movement, or coughing. Direct inguinal hernias usually occur in adult males whose abdominal muscles have weakened.
What is the procedure called for a hernia repair?
Inguinal hernia repair is a common surgical procedure. Inguinal hernia surgery is also called herniorrhaphy or hernioplasty. There are 3 types of inguinal hernia repair: Open hernia repair: A surgical procedure in which an incision, or cut, is made in the groin.
How does a hernia surgery work?
The surgeon then pushes the hernia back into the abdomen and strengthens the abdominal wall with mesh and stitches. This surgery may be done under local anesthesia for the abdominal area, or general anesthesia in which you will be put to sleep.
What is the name of the hernia that occurs when the intestines or fat from the abdomen bulg
An inguinal hernia occurs when the intestines or fat from the abdomen bulge through the lower abdominal wall into the inguinal, or groin, area. There are 2 types of inguinal hernias: Indirect inguinal hernias: This type of hernia is caused by a birth defect in the abdominal wall that is congenital (present at birth).
How many men have inguinal hernias?
Adult males over age 40 are much more likely to develop direct inguinal hernias than females. About 25% of males, and only about 2% of females, will develop an inguinal hernia in their lifetime.
What is the term for a bulging muscle in the abdomen?
A hernia is a common condition in which part of an internal organ or tissue bulges through a muscle. An inguinal hernia occurs when the intestines or fat from the abdomen bulge through the lower abdominal wall into the inguinal, or groin, area. Symptoms and treatments are described in this article. Appointments & Access.
How to identify a sports hernia?
To identify a sports hernia, a health care provider may use multiple diagnostic techniques but will begin researching how the injury occurred (mechanism of injury). He or she will then conduct a physical examination.
Why is physical examination necessary for a hernia?
A physical examination is necessary to rule out a true hernia, which can also be caused by athletic activity.
What causes a hernia in the lower abdomen?
Sports hernias are typically caused by repetitive or explosive motions, especially those that require twisting of the pelvis such as football, hockey, soccer, rugby, skiing, running and hurdling. The soft tissues that perform these movements found in the lower abdomen and pubic area are most frequently torn or injured. The tendons that attach the oblique muscles to the pubic bone are especially vulnerable. In of the case of many sports hernias, the tendons that attach the thigh muscles to the pubic bone (adductors) are also stretched or torn.
What is the name of the condition that causes pain and pressure in the pelvis?
The condition’s true name is athletic pubalgia. Although the symptoms are similar, the pain and pressure from sports hernias are caused by torn tendons that attach to the pelvis instead of an abdominal muscle separation and protrusion of intestine or other soft tissue.
What is the procedure to cut a hernia in the inner thigh?
In some cases of sports hernia, pain in the inner thigh continues after surgery. An additional surgery, called adductor tenotomy, may be recommended to address this pain. In this procedure, the tendon that attaches the inner thigh muscles to the pubis is cut.
What is the procedure to remove a small inguinal nerve?
This procedure is called an inguinal neurectomy.
What is the best imaging for a hernia?
If a diagnosis of a sports hernia or the severity of the injury is not clear, the provider may also order an X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI to look for injuries to the bone, nerves and soft tissue. An MRI is the most effective imaging technique for identifying tears in soft tissue such as tendon, ligament and muscle.
