Have any of y'all ever gotten a sports hernia?

[ojinsa]

If so, did you have surgery to repair it? I played soccer last week for the first time in years (sometime around the middle of Pres. Clinton's first term...). I've been lifting weights regularly since that time, but haven't done much of the rapid start/stop/ lateral movements and twisting in a while, obviously. I typically go as hard as I can whenever I engage in these activities because in my mind I'm still the same year round athlete as I was way back then, but my aging body reminds me otherwise. As you can imagine, I believe the repetitive twisting action at full speed has caused a sports hernia. I'm scheduled for an examination with my doc next week to confirm, but from what I understand about sports hernias, therapy is a viable alternative to surgery and one can achieve a complete recovery from therapy alone.

So, have any of y'all ever gotten a sports hernia, and how did you treat it?

 

[drlvegas]

I don't know how a sports hernia is different from a regular hernia, but the standard version does not heal on it's own. I had one last summer. I went to the doc & he said if I was an inactive 70-year-old(I'm 46), he probably would just leave it be since it was fairly small.

Upon further examination, I had a second small inguinal hernia(2="bilateral"), and, for the hat trick, a small umbilical hernia. He did the patch on the inguinals, and sutured the umbilical. I was out of work for 2 days including surgery, and couldn't do much lifting for 4 weeks prior, and 8 weeks subsequent to the surgery. The patches are basically like a tire patch--once they're healed, you're good to go.

I'm currently on track to hit a 365 squat, and 405 deadlift before my 47th birthday in September.

 

[ojinsa]

I don't know how a sports hernia is different from a regular hernia, but the standard version does not heal on it's own. I had one last summer. I went to the doc & he said if I was an inactive 70-year-old(I'm 46), he probably would just leave it be since it was fairly small.

Upon further examination, I had a second small inguinal hernia(2="bilateral"), and, for the hat trick, a small umbilical hernia. He did the patch on the inguinals, and sutured the umbilical. I was out of work for 2 days including surgery, and couldn't do much lifting for 4 weeks prior, and 8 weeks subsequent to the surgery. The patches are basically like a tire patch--once they're healed, you're good to go.

I'm currently on track to hit a 365 squat, and 405 deadlift before my 47th birthday in September.

That's encouraging, and congrats on the PRs! As I understand the differences in the hernia types, a sports hernia isn't really a hernia in the classic sense, rather it's a shearing of the abdominal muscle/tendon from the pubic bone, and the mechanism that causes this is twisting forces. From what I've read the injury is fairly common among soccer, hockey and football players. I'll know more following my doctor's visit on Thursday, but it is encouraging to see that a complete recovery, and quick, is a likely outcome.

 

[shaveitoff]

I don't know what a sports hernia is, but I have had a hernia. If you can get the surgery done, get it done ASAP. When I had mine, the doctor who diagnosed it said I did not need an operation. Naturally, I thought since the doc said no operation was needed, I didn't get it done. Well, that was the worst medical advice I ever got.

Within a year the hernia was worse and was painful every day. I did get the operation at that point. Get the surgery right away to avoid the pain.

 

[ojinsa]

I don't know what a sports hernia is, but I have had a hernia. If you can get the surgery done, get it done ASAP. When I had mine, the doctor who diagnosed it said I did not need an operation. Naturally, I thought since the doc said no operation was needed, I didn't get it done. Well, that was the worst medical advice I ever got.

Within a year the hernia was worse and was painful every day. I did get the operation at that point. Get the surgery right away to avoid the pain.

thanks for the advice. I think that's sound advice.

 

[JoshuaNY]

Sports hernias are a bit different then full blown hernias, they are more of a small tear that do not include any bowel protuberance. They usually occur from dynamic movements, twisting and pushing off hard, rather then lifting. Many soccer players(like the OP) get em. I'm not a doc, I just play one on the interwebs.

I got one about 10 years ago. I was running an obstacle course, planted, twisted, pushed of hard. After that any cyclical (i.e running) movement I did, it felt like a tendon or something was being plucked like a bow string.

I thought at first it was a groin pull, so I took care of it how my doc said for 6 months. No improvement.
I am not one to complain about most pain or discomfort, so when I go to a doc it means something. I went to a general surgeon who told me to play with the pain. Walked out on him.

Met an orthopedist at Tulane Hospital whom had a lot of experience with sports hernias. He said since I had done all of the therepy for what I thought was a groin pull without effect then surgery was the best option. It may be different for you of course.

Now, I do not remember the exact procedure, but it entailed meshing a gortex pad on the injured area. Went to physical therapy for a while, I am as good as new ten years later. No pain or discomfort after long distance, it is just as strong as the other leg.

 

[ojinsa]

Sports hernias are a bit different then full blown hernias, they are more of a small tear that do not include any bowel protuberance. They usually occur from dynamic movements, twisting and pushing off hard, rather then lifting. Many soccer players(like the OP) get em. I'm not a doc, I just play one on the interwebs.

I got one about 10 years ago. I was running an obstacle course, planted, twisted, pushed of hard. After that any cyclical (i.e running) movement I did, it felt like a tendon or something was being plucked like a bow string.

I thought at first it was a groin pull, so I took care of it how my doc said for 6 months. No improvement.
I am not one to complain about most pain or discomfort, so when I go to a doc it means something. I went to a general surgeon who told me to play with the pain. Walked out on him.

Met an orthopedist at Tulane Hospital whom had a lot of experience with sports hernias. He said since I had done all of the therepy for what I thought was a groin pull without effect then surgery was the best option. It may be different for you of course.

Now, I do not remember the exact procedure, but it entailed meshing a gortex pad on the injured area. Went to physical therapy for a while, I am as good as new ten years later. No pain or discomfort after long distance, it is just as strong as the other leg.

Joshua, yes that's exactly it. Thanks for your insight. I expect that if I am a surgical candidate that I'll have the mesh deal. How long was it before you felt as good as new?

 

[JoshuaNY]

I don't remember exactly since it was awhile ago, but I was able to get back into my regular activities fairly quickly. I started slow, but was able to go fairly hard after about 3 months. After six, it was like it never existed.

 

[ojinsa]

Quick update in case anyone's morbidly curious: I had my doctor's visit today. I went to a sports doc/ortho, and he didn't think I had a sports hernia, but rather just a muscular/tendon strain. I didn't have any of the hip issues that he believes are a sequala of sports hernia (pubalgia), so he prescribed one week of steroids and NSIADs, and follow up in 3 weeks. No soccer for a few weeks - I don't know what my adoring soccer fans will do in the meantime...

 

[JoshuaNY]

Hey Oscar, that's good to hear. I wish you a speedy recovery.

 

[ojinsa]

Hey Oscar, that's good to hear. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Thanks Joshua. I appreciate that amigo.