1. Watch for Pain in the Abdomen
Strains and ruptures of the rectus abdominus muscles can occur in athletes due to overuse. Gymnasts, pole vaulters and weightlifters are among some of those who suffer abdominal muscle injuries. Without enough time to fully recover from a ruptured stomach muscle, the injury can end up inflamed and cause more discomfort. An athlete can consider the likelihood of a ruptured stomach muscle when he feels a sharp, sudden pain in the abdominal area. The muscles in the abdomen may feel tender around the bottom of the muscle group and when the muscles contract with use, such as during an abdominal crunch exercise, pain increases.
2. Three Levels of Muscle Strain
Abdominal muscle strains fit into three categories, ranging from level one to level three. In a level one strain, an athlete may not even feel the strain until after finishing the activity that causes the injury. She may feel cramping or slight pain when using the muscles in the abdomen. In a level two strain, the athlete knows about the injury right away with sudden pain and tenderness to the touch. Pain follows any use of the abdominal muscles. In a level three strain, an actual rupture occurs in the abdominal muscles. You can feel immediate pain that can include a burning or stabbing sensation with increased pain upon any attempt to move. A level three strain, or rupture, may present with bruising within two to three days after the injury.
3. Abdominal Ruptures Can Lead to a Hernia
Athletes can suffer a hernia as a result of an abdominal muscle rupture. A hernia occurs when the tissue behind the abdominal wall pushes through the perforation in the muscle. You may notice a bulge in the abdominal area due to this tissue pushing through the hole caused by the muscle rupture. Pain also presents with a hernia due to the tissue stretching the opening in the abdominal muscle. If the hernia traps part of the intestine, you may experience constipation, vomiting or nausea. You may also suffer from a disruption of normal urinary function if the hernia involves the bladder. This disruption can include bladder infections, needing to go often, painful urination or difficulty urinating. Ruptured abdominal muscles that result in a hernia can also cause painful intercourse in women and impotence in men. Tenderness in the area of the hernia can also indicate a rupture in stomach muscles.
