Medically reviewed by Misty Seidenburg
Groin pain is often the first symptom of a sports hernia, a common injury affecting up to one-quarter of athletes—although it is not always sports-related. While a sports hernia is generally not severe, proper treatment is necessary to prevent long-term pain and complications. Read on to learn how physical therapy helps patients with sports hernias reduce pain and return to the activities they love.
A sports hernia, or athletic publagia, is a painful injury involving a strain or tear of the tendons and/or muscles in the abdomen or groin. Irritation of the nerves near the injury can also contribute to pain and sensitivity in the affected area.
Sports hernias commonly affect these soft tissues:
Athletes who play sports like soccer, tennis, hockey, and basketball that require sudden and rapid twisting or changes in direction are susceptible to sports hernias. However, it is not just athletes who develop sports hernias.
Other risk factors for athletic publagia include:
Sports hernias affect an estimated 5% of adult athletes and are most common among males in their mid to late 20s. Women experience them less frequently, and they are rare in children and older adults.
The terms sport hernia and inguinal hernia are often used interchangeably, but they are different conditions.. An inguinal hernia occurs when the lower abdominal muscles separate, and the intestines or other soft tissue protrudes through the opening near the groin. A sports hernia is any soft tissue tear of the muscle, tendons, or ligaments in that area with no visible bulging of internal organs.
In addition to groin pain, burning, or aching, someone with an inguinal hernia may have a visible lump or bulge in the groin on either side of the scrotum or pubic bone. A feeling of pressure or added weight in the groin is another possible sign of an inguinal hernia. Treatment for inguinal hernias involves either watchful waiting for minimally symptomatic patients or surgical repair to close the abdominal wall in more severe cases.
Sports hernia symptoms typically involve sudden and severe groin pain at the time of injury. Pain can ease slightly with rest but typically returns with activity, especially when coughing, sneezing, twisting, kicking, sitting up, or sprinting.
For some individuals, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact spot where the pain originates, yet it often radiates down toward the inner thigh. Pain can become so intense that physical activity becomes intolerable.
Groin pain is a broad symptom with several possible causes. Physical therapists use several tools to determine if a sports hernia or another condition causes your pain. They ask questions about your injury and symptoms, followed by a physical exam to better understand your condition and how it impacts your movement and function.
It’s essential to see how your symptoms change with movement. For example, your therapist may ask you to flex your abdomen against resistance or do a sit-up. For someone with a groin hernia, these movements will probably be painful.
Imaging tests are often recommended to diagnose your condition and rule out other possible causes of groin pain. In some states, physical therapists can refer patients for diagnostic testing. If that’s not the case where you live, contact your primary healthcare provider for guidance. Or contact your insurance company for clarification.
If surgery is not required, may be recommended before starting your physical therapy program for a sports hernia. When you’re ready to begin, your physical therapist introduces safe, gentle, therapeutic exercises to improve strength and flexibility in the abdominal and inner thigh muscles. They will also make recommendations to your training program to alter movement patterns and decrease the risk of re-injury or hernias to the opposite side.
Other physical therapy therapies and techniques used to improve symptoms include soft tissue mobilization of the hip and lumbar regions, joint mobilization of the hips, and the sacroiliac joints that connect the pelvis to the base of the spine. Your therapist may also use manual stretching to increase hip and lower back flexibility.
As you progress, your therapist may incorporate sport or activity-specific movements to improve your mechanics and lower the . They may also prescribe a Home Exercise Program with movements that complement your work in the clinic to keep you active and improve muscle memory.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions or share any changes with your physical therapist. They want to help you learn more about your condition and get on a path to moving and feeling better.
Physical therapy also benefits those who require surgical treatment for a sports hernia. A post-surgery physical therapy program helps patients:
Don’t wait to see a physical therapist if you are scheduled for hernia surgery. The better physical shape you are going into surgery, the better you will be coming out. Pre-surgery physical therapy, or pre-hab, has been shown to help patients build strength and function to achieve better outcomes. Prehab can even lead to shorter hospital stays and recovery periods.
The recovery time for a sports hernia depends on the treatment approach and the severity of your injury. It can take 6-12 weeks for mild cases to heal with physical therapy. Injuries that require surgery will take longer to heal, and post-surgical physical therapy can help that process move smoothly.
If nagging groin pain keeps you sidelined from your favorite sports, schedule a physical therapy evaluation to assess your symptoms and start your healing journey. Request an appointment online or find a clinic near you.
External Sources:
