December 7, 2023 Author: André Lázaro A sports hernia is any condition of pain in the groin that worsens with exercise and physical exertion , even if there is no clinical evidence of a hernia. Therefore, it is common for this expression to mislead. In sports hernia, complaints of pain in the groin may not be due to a hernia itself, neither inguinal nor another hernia of the abdominal wall. It is one of the most common causes of pain in athletes, whether they are competition athletes or not. The pain may appear suddenly or have more chronic characteristics. It worsens with exertion and abdominal pressure increase, which happens, for example, with coughing or sneezing. What is the cause of sports hernia? Sports hernia pain can originate from various anatomical structures in the inguinal (groin) region, including muscles, tendons, bones, abdominal wall, vascular and even intra-abdominal structures. More often, it results from repeated effort and trauma to the muscles and tendons in the groin region , which causes a muscle-tendinous injury and this is the cause of the pain; In some cases, muscle injuries can actually give rise to an inguinal hernia. Sportsman's hernia is most common: In men than in women; In those who practice sports that involve twisting movements and repeated changes of direction, such as hockey, football or rugby, but it can affect any athlete. Diagnosis and treatment Diagnosing a sports hernia requires a detailed physical examination. Additional exams such as conventional radiology, ultrasound or even magnetic resonance imaging may also be necessary. Treatment should be decided by a multidisciplinary team that includes General Surgery, Orthopedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine and may involve: Rest, with interruption of physical activity; Physiotherapy; Medicines; Surgery. In cases where it is actually identified a muscle injury resulting in a hernia, or a hernia is identified in complementary exams, the most correct approach may be hernia correction surgery. Often, this surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis (without hospitalization) or with a short hospital stay. After surgery, the objective is to promote the best long-term results for the athlete , with the shortest possible period of interruption of activity. Therefore, it is essential to have support from professionals with experience in sports injuries, who establish and guide the rehabilitation program that safeguards a complete postoperative recovery and allows the early resumption of unrestricted physical activity (particularly important in competition athletes). Meet the General Surgery clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
