As a sports enthusiast, you may have seen a few professional athletes clinging to the sidelines with an injury or two. Most injuries involve blunt trauma or stress, and some of the most common include sprains, fractures, and concussions.

However, there’s one type of injury that’s become endemic to the world of football and basketball: athlete hernia.

What is an Athlete Hernia?

Athlete hernia, also known as “sports hernia”, “inguinal disruption”, or “core muscle injury”, refers to a strain or tear of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the lower abdomen and groin area.

While the name may suggest a hernia, it’s not actually a true hernia, which occurs when an internal organ bulges out of a weak spot in the abdominal wall.

Athlete hernia happens because of the repetitive twisting, turning, pivoting, and sprinting movements that athletes in contact sports make.

These movements place excessive strain on the groin and lower abdominal muscles, resulting in micro-tears, inflammation, and weakness in the tissues. Over time, these micro-tears can cause considerable pain and disability, limiting an athlete’s ability to play, train, or perform at their best.

Symptoms of Athlete Hernia

Symptoms of athlete hernia usually present as a gradual onset of pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. The pain is typically sharp, stabbing, or burning, and occurs in the lower abdomen, groin, or pelvic region.

Other symptoms may include:.

Swelling or bulge around the groin
Pain when coughing, sneezing, or laughing
Pain during core movements such as bending, twisting, or lifting
Reduced range of motion
Stiffness or tightness in the groin
Painful ejaculation in male athletes

Athlete hernia can affect athletes of any age, sex, or fitness level, but it’s more common in males than females.

It can also occur in non-athletic individuals who engage in repetitive movements that involve the core muscles, such as dancers, weightlifters, or manual laborers.

Diagnosis of Athlete Hernia

Diagnosing athlete hernia can be challenging as the symptoms are similar to those of other groin and abdominal injuries. Moreover, the condition may not show up on imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound.

The typical diagnostic approach involves a thorough physical exam to rule out other conditions and checking for specific pain points and tenderness. Other tests that may help with diagnosis include:.

Functional assessment tests such as the Sports Hernia Diagnostic Algorithm and the Gilmore’s groin diagnostic tool
MRI with contrast to assess for subtle muscle tears and inflammation
Diagnostic ultrasound to identify groin and abdominal wall defects
Intraoperative assessment during surgery to rule out other possibilities

Treatment of Athlete Hernia

The treatment for athlete hernia involves a combination of non-surgical and surgical approaches depending on the severity of the injury, the athlete’s age, and their overall health. Some of the options include:.

Non-surgical Treatment

Mild to moderate cases of athlete hernia can often be treated conservatively with rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication, and physical therapy.

The aim of non-surgical treatment is to reduce pain, inflammation, and tissue damage, while also improving strength, flexibility, and mobility. Typically, non-surgical treatment can take between six weeks to three months, depending on the athlete’s progress.

Surgical Treatment

In severe cases of athlete hernia, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair the damaged tissues. The goal of surgery is to restore muscle strength, relieve pain, and prevent further injury.

In general, there are two main types of surgery for athlete hernia:.

Open hernia repair surgery: This involves a large incision in the groin area to access the hernia. The surgeon will then repair the damaged tissues using sutures or a mesh implant.
Minimally invasive laparoscopic hernia repair surgery: This involves making small incisions in the abdomen and groin, through which the surgeon will insert a thin tube called a laparoscope and other surgical tools. Using this approach, the surgeon will repair the hernia from the inside out, often with the use of a mesh implant.

Both types of surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis, and recovery usually takes between two to six weeks.

Prevention of Athlete Hernia

Preventing athlete hernia involves taking steps to reduce the risk of tissue damage and strain in the groin and abdomen. Some of the strategies that athletes can use to prevent athlete hernia include:.

Warming up adequately before training or playing
Strengthening the core muscles through targeted exercises
Stretching regularly to improve flexibility and mobility
Using proper form and technique when executing movements that engage the core muscles
Wearing supportive gear such as compression shorts or trunks
Taking breaks from training or playing to allow the tissues to heal and recover

The Bottomline

Athlete hernia is a debilitating injury that can affect an athlete’s performance, career, and quality of life.

It’s important to understand the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of athlete hernia to minimize the risks and maximize the chances of a full recovery. Athletes who suspect they may have an athlete hernia should seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before embarking on any treatment plan.