Pain that radiates through the lower abdomen into the testicles while running may indicate a hernia. This very common injury often afflicts active men. Sometimes a hernia may show no symptoms, however in cases where a hernia causes pain, typically surgery is required. Speak to your doctor or health care practitioner if you have recurrent pain in the abdomen and testicles when running.
Inguinal Hernia
The inguinal canal is a tube that runs through the abdominal wall close to the groin region. When a section of the intestine protrudes through a weakened area in the abdominal wall at the inguinal canal, this is known as an inguinal hernia. Two types of inguinal hernias exist: indirect and direct. An indirect inguinal hernia typically occurs at birth when the opening of the inguinal canal remains open instead of closing itself after birth. This action leaves a gap for a part of the intestine to bulge through. Indirect hernias typically occur during the toddler years, but in some cases they don't show up until adulthood. A direct inguinal hernia is much more common than an indirect inguinal hernia and occurs in as many as one in four men.
Causes
In runners, inguinal hernias may relate to repetitive sprinting action -- perhaps during interval training, for example -- which overloads and overstretches the psoas muscle, involved in hip flexion during running, as well as the lower abdominal and groin muscles. Inguinal hernias may also result when the ilioinguinal nerve becomes irritated through overuse or poor muscle control. Often inguinal hernias are associated with an overall weakening and instability of the entire groin region.
Risk Factors
Other risk factors for inguinal hernias in runners include limited range of motion in the hip; muscle imbalances amongst the muscles of the hip, thigh, abdominals and pelvis; general pelvic instability; and a significant difference in leg length. Straining while urinating or defecting can also trigger inguinal hernias, as can improper lifting techniques. A higher risk for inguinal hernias also presents in runners carrying excess body weight.
Prevention
It is not possible to prevent indirect inguinal hernias, however direct inguinal hernias can be prevented through core stabilization exercises. Exercises that work all of the abdominal muscles may help keep the pelvis stable and strong and reduce the risk of the abdominal wall breaking down. Stretching exercises to improve range of motion and reduce tension in the muscles of the hip may also help avert inguinal hernias in runners.
