Anyone who plays physically demanding sports such as football, rugby, or even tennis has a very high risk of developing a sports hernia. Sports hernia, or Gilmore’s groin as some call it, is a very common type of hernia that affects the lower abdominal wall and can occur in athletes.
The practice of the above sports weakens the muscles of the lower abdominal wall and leads to the appearance of hernia.
Inguinal hernia occurs in the same place when part of the lower abdomen slips through a small tear that develops in the muscles of the abdominal wall as they are weakened and creates a visible and palpable bulge that protrudes. Sports hernias are similar to inguinal hernias and both occur in the same place, but the difference between them is that sports hernias do not protrude or swell.
Anyone who plays sports can develop sports hernias. It doesn’t matter how strong his muscles are, because sports hernias have nothing to do with muscle strength. It seems that the muscle fibers of the abdominal wall are too thin.
The first symptoms of a sports hernia are a slight pain that occurs in the abdominal area, followed by pain in the groin and sometimes in the testicles in men. The pain caused by sports hernias is worse when the patient sneezes, bends over or coughs.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. There are no medical tests that can diagnose sports hernias. Doctors usually perform tests to rule out other conditions that can cause the same symptoms. A sports break is diagnosed based on the patient’s medical history and certain physical examinations.
Once you have been diagnosed with a sports break, it is recommended that you start treatment shortly before complications develop. Unfortunately, surgery is the only really effective way to cure a sports break. The first thing doctors order is lots of rest. In some cases, if the hernia is not too far advanced, a break of several weeks can cure it, especially if you are using ibuprofen and other drugs to relieve muscle pain. In most cases, however, rest is not enough and surgery is required.
Sports hernia surgery is a very simple operation that most doctors have done and are familiar with. The goal is to reattach the abdominal muscles and repair any tears.