Sport Hernias in Sport or Active People

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Hi,

Interesting topic! Have you read the articles yet? They are indeed informative and have excellent illustrative pictures and charts.

Let's take a closer look.

1. From the article what are some of the signs and symptoms of a sports hernia?

In 1980, Smedburg et al investigated groin pain in athletes who had hernias. They found that a significant number of athletes with groin pain had a direct noncongenital hernia. After surgery there was an 81% incidence of a full return to sports. Hackney (1993, as cited in Hackney, 1997) reported experiences with posterior inguinal canal that was suspected to be an early direct inguinal hernia and was treated with surgical repair. There were 15 patients, all men and women (only 5% of all hernias are women) were engaged in active competitive sports or involved in strenuous physical exercise in the armed forces. The average range of duration of symptoms from onset to surgery was 20 months, with a range of 6 weeks to 5 years. Excellent results were achieved in 805 of patients, with full return to competition; all patient reported improvement. Total experience now runs to ore than 200 patients. However, Smedburg reported that he could not determine if a prior sports hernia was actually the cause of the groin pain

The above study by Smedburg (1980) informed the study by Hackney (1997), who argues that by taking a thorough history and elucidating the findings on the examination, that the proper diagnosis of sports hernia can be made, which is often the cause of the chronic groin pain in sports athletes. Azurin et al ( as cited in Wales, n.d) reported that 80% of athletes that presented with chronic groin pain had inguinal canal disruption The main feature of the diagnosis is a painful, enlarged cough impulse from a weakness of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal (Hackney, 1997). Treatment is by surgical repair (Hackney, 1997; Wales, n.d). Success rate in terms of pain free is high (80-90%), reports Hackney. the condition has been reported din many countries and is becoming widely accepted. According to Wales (n.d), for example, inguinal canal disruption occurs frequently in athletes in rugby, soccer, hockey and football.

The signs and symptoms of sports hernia are characterized by pain during sports movements, particularly twisting and turning. This pain usually radiates to the Adductor muscle region and even the Testicles (in males), although it is often difficult for the patient to pinpoint. Following sporting activity the person with a sport's hernia will be stiff and sore. The day after sports activity, getting out of bed or a car will be difficult. Any exertion that increases intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing or sporting activity can cause pain. In the early stages, the person may be able to continue playing their sport, but the problem usually gets progressively worse. Pain in the groin and pelvis can be referred from a number of problems, including injuries to the lumbar spine, the hip joint, the sacro-iliac joint, the abdomen and the genito-urinary system, so diagnosis of a sport's Hernia requires skilful differentiation. The diagnosis of a sport's hernia is based on the patient's history and clinical signs. The most notable clinical sign is widening of the superficial Inguinal ring on the affected side, which can be palpated during the physical examination when the scrotum is inverted with the doctor's finger. Typically, there is specific pain on coughing and sneezing, as well as sitting up and squeezing the legs together.

In sum, some of the symptoms gleaned from the various sources and reported by some sufferers:

· Dull ache, often accompanied by sharp pains, especially after activity involving hip flexion and/or twisting. Such an activity can be as simple as raking leaves or something more demanding such as playing soccer or moving furniture.
· Pain is often felt off of the corner of the pubic bone, and can radiate to the testicle(s) in males.
· There is almost always accompanied adductor muscle tightness and often pain in the adductors. it can be difficult to adduct (squeeze them together) the leg(s) because of this.
· Pain can also be felt while twisting, from the pubic bone up to the inguinal ligament. This pain can also wrap around to the hip and lower back.
· There can be irritation of the nerves that travel to the perineum and genitals.
· It can be painful to externally rotate your bent leg, but it can ...