Sports Hernia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Cricketer Suryakumar Yadav recently had surgery for a sports hernia. He shared his recovery journey on Instagram. But what is a sports hernia? How is it different from a regular hernia? Let’s break it down.

What is a Sports Hernia?

A sports hernia, also called athletic pubalgia, is a painful injury. It affects the soft tissues in the lower abdomen or groin area. Unlike a regular hernia, you won’t see a visible bulge. Instead, it involves a tear or strain of muscles, tendons, or ligaments around the groin. This leads to pain that gets worse with sudden movements.

Who is Most at Risk?

Athletes who play sports with sudden changes in direction or intense movements are most at risk. These sports include cricket, soccer, football, hockey, and wrestling. Unlike a traditional hernia, a sports hernia doesn’t show a visible lump. This makes it hard to diagnose. But it does cause significant pain, especially during physical activity.

Symptoms of Sports Hernia

The main symptom of a sports hernia is pain in the groin or lower abdomen. This pain can start suddenly or develop over time. Here are some symptoms to watch for:

• Sharp or throbbing pain in the lower abdomen or groin area
• Pain that gets worse with twisting, sprinting, kicking, or sudden changes in direction
• Pain that may spread to the inner thigh or testicles (in males)
• Pain during coughing, sneezing, or sitting up
• Pain that improves with rest but returns quickly
• No visible bulge or lump

Because the pain occurs without a bulge and is spread over a wide area, it’s often hard to pinpoint the exact location. The pain may also cause stiffness and soreness after sports or exercise.

Causes

A sports hernia is caused by repetitive movements that strain the muscles and tendons in the lower abdomen and groin. The injury happens when these soft tissues are stretched or torn due to sudden twisting of the pelvis.

Common causes include:

• Sudden twisting or turning motions in sports
• Repetitive forceful hip movements like kicking, jumping, or sprinting
• Overuse of groin muscles leading to muscle imbalance or weakness
• Weak abdominal muscles compared to strong leg muscles, causing uneven stress on the pelvic area

Treatment

Treatment for a sports hernia depends on the severity of the injury. Here are some options:

Rest and Activity Changes

Avoid activities that cause pain, especially twisting and sudden movements. This helps the tissues heal, though it might take a long time.

Rehab Program

A structured rehab program focuses on strengthening the abdominal and hip muscles. It also improves flexibility and corrects muscle imbalances. Physical therapy is often the first line of treatment.

Pain Medication

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce pain and inflammation. However, they won’t treat the underlying issue.

Surgery

If symptoms persist, surgery may be needed to repair the torn tissues. Surgical options include repairing or reinforcing the damaged tendons and muscles around the pubic bone. Surgery usually leads to a good recovery and a gradual return to sports.