A sports hernia is a groin injury in male athletes who make frequent turning or twisting motions with their torsos. People with this type of injury who don't respond to conservative treatments may need to undergo a surgical repair. Post-surgery rehabilitation programs for sports hernias can help most athletes return to their activities in anywhere from six weeks to six months.
Sports Hernia Basics
Despite its name, a sports hernia involves a weakening of the abdominal wall rather than an actual rupture of the wall's surface. Still, this type of injury can trigger persistent pain and significantly degrade an athlete's performance. Some people with sports hernias undergo a modern form of repair called laparoscopic surgery, which requires minimal opening of the skin and speeds post-surgical healing. Others undergo a traditional surgical repair, which involves more extensive skin opening and requires a longer healing time following surgery.
Initial Steps
Post-surgical rehabilitation programs for a sports hernia typically begin after the surgery site heals, Dr. Scott Kaar of SportsMD explains. If you undergo a laparoscopic procedure, this process may take no more than a week; if you undergo a traditional procedure, you will need to wait considerably longer. Once you have healed sufficiently, your doctor will ask you to start your active recovery with a nonspecific exercise for your legs, such as walking on a treadmill, using an elliptical machine or jogging. After a period of roughly two weeks, you will begin performing exercises more specifically designed to stretch and strengthen your lower abdomen.
Targeted Exercises
The main cause of a sports hernia is an imbalance between relatively strong leg muscles and relatively weak abdominal or core muscles, according to Dr. Jeffrey S. Hoadley of Sports Hernia South. Like nonsurgical rehabilitation programs, post-surgical rehabilitation programs attempt to address this imbalance with core-strengthening exercises. Potential options here include weightlifting exercises, Swiss ball exercises, bridges, side bridges and exercises that target your hip flexor and hip adductor muscles. Stretching options during sports hernia rehab typically target the surgical site in your lower abdomen, as well as the muscles and tendons in your legs.
Results
Roughly 63 to 95 percent of athletes return to full activity after post-surgical sports hernia rehabilitation, Virginia Tech reports. While recovery times vary from person to person, athletes who undergo laparoscopic surgery can frequently return to their normal routines in roughly four to six weeks. On the other hand, athletes who undergo traditional surgery may need as long as six months to return to their pre-injury routines. Consult your doctor for more information on available types of rehabilitation following sports hernia surgery.
References
- The Atlantic Coast Conference: Chronic Groin Pain; Sports Hernia; Amy Davis, M.Ed., ATC/L; Virginia Tech Athletics; June 10, 2005
- SportsMD: Sports Hernia & Athletic Pubalgia; Scott Kaar, M.D.; March 28, 2011
- Sports Hernia South: Sports Hernia Treatment & Sports Hernia Surgery; Jeffrey S. Hoadley, M.D.; 2008
