Anyone ever had a "Sports Hernia" aka: "Sportsman's hernia", "Gilmore's groin", or &quot

Shoelessj,

I'm 7 weeks out from bilateral laparoscopic/mesh repair for SH that I endured for 2.5 years. Surgical findings found significant tearing of the transversalis fascia on both sides.

I would just like to reiterate that most recoveries from this surgery have their ups-and-downs. Most studies don't report on the idiosyncracies that the patients went through prior to their various follow-up points. At first, I got pretty depressed after reading many published articles reporting 100% recovery by 3-6 weeks. However, you are correct that most studies include an ideal population who are also likely to minimize sxs (professional athletes with sxs for only 3 months).

Barring individual differences, my surgeon said that on AVERAGE healing after surgery reaches 60% by 8 weeks post-op and reaches 90% at 12 months. This offers reassurance, however, who knows if this really means anything.

Were there any particular rehab exercises that were helpful, were painful, or were painful at first but now are helpful? I'm currently able to get through typical core exercises, but the next day am finding soreness and tightening mostly in my hammies, adductors, and lower back...Any advice?

Lastly, of note, I had si joint instability and iliopsoas pain that developed secondary to the SH. After two weeks using the "sacrowedgy" (google it) and a foam roller, I'd say my si joint and iliopsoas are 70-80% improved. Just an idea for anyone with these additional symptoms.

Thanks...

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but my surgeon strongly suggested that a structured Physical Therapy program starting two weeks post-op is essential to a full recovery. I'm two weeks post-op and started with my PT today after my PT had a phone consultation with the surgeon. After a bi-lateral SH repair with some severe issues on one side outside the SH, I feel considerably good.

The other key point he made was a good pair of compression shorts when returning to activity. I went with these and am vey impressed with both the product and the company/customer service.

http://www.coretection.com/

Rem,

What kind of SH surgery did you have? Laparo, open, floor repair, mesh...etc...Thanks

My physio reckons that i have a sports hernia. Ive had weak groins for the past 3 or 4 years, but last summer i started taking severe pain in my lower stomach as well. The pain in my stomach was just to the right of my belly button & lower down towards the pubic bone, running into my groin and adductor. On sitting, driving and leaning forward or huncing over a table doing coursework i get severe pain which goes up as far as the bottom of my rib-cage on the right. I have no problem coughing. When this first happened i was out for 2 months, complete rest-couldnt do anything, and it seemed to clear up. About 2 weeks into preseason training this year the exact same problem has flared up. Can anyone relate to these symptoms, particularly the pain at the bottom of the ribs?

I'm starting to have some of those symptoms. I have tightness in my abs and sometimes small pains there as well as my pelvic area and groin. I'm speculating I have some small tears in my abdominus rectus. I also have pains in my left and right groin. It started out on the left, but after I pushed my therapy a little too hard, I developed problems on the other side. I'm going to get an MRI soon.

hi there;

I started to have all the symptoms of sh about 8 months ago, i rested for a few months and the pain went away and then i decided to statr training again;

I think that was a bad idea, although i switched from running to biking and i decided to go easy in the gym, i now have the problem coming back, but with somewhat different symptoms;

I have a sharp pain in my testicle (the same side as my sh, right side) and my hamstring and right butt feel tight all the time;

is this typical sh? I didnt know there is tightness in the butt , i also didnt hear anyone mention pain in the testivles?

if anyone could shed some light on this i would be very grateful;

thanks

I don't think there is a "blueprint" for SH because everyone is different. I know that I had a number of problems (ankle sprain, pulled groin, foot problem) on my left side prior to getting the sports hernia; and I think for that reason, everyone is going to have different symptoms. But pain in the testicles is common and I had it too at the beginning. I also have tightness in my abs now and fleeting pains throughout my pelvic region.

You really should try to strengthen your core with light stretching/exercises before doing anything, biking running, etc. Physical therapy was working for me until I pushed it too hard - so now I'm likely looking at surgery now. MRI next Wednesday! I don't expect it to show anything significant, but I need to know that there isn't anything else wrong. good luck

CRNN,

With regard to specific exercises during rehab, I felt that using the rubber bands and tubing really helped me find my way. I'm sure you were atrophied like me, so getting back into exercise slowly through use of the bands was key (and you can work your entire body, head to toe, isolating muscles groups by day so you're allowing yourself to heal).

I found that light yoga and pilates were also helpful, but of course as I write this I had a minor setback the other day when I lifted something heavy to quickly without bracing...just be careful as your body is not ready for heavy weight. Go at it very slowly and be conscious of your position when lifting.

I would highly recommend seeing a Rolfer to help reorganize your body, yet I think it's too early for you. I'd wait until month 5 or 6 to do this.

Go to youtube and type in Pilates on 5th...any and all of these exercises are very helpful, but you'll have to modify them so you're not throwing yourself into strenuous exercise.

Good Luck!

joe

I spent 4 months researching this tricky injury, including reading every post on every thread here. Other runners were a big help. I finally had surgery in January 2006. I just realized I should have writren a follow up report for the benefit of others.

* "Sports Hernia" isn't a hernia; the term thus causes much confusion right away, as the sufferer is ignored as being wrong or steered in the wrong direction.

* Whatever causes groin pain probably stems from a variety of problems, which should be treated in a variety of ways, further complicating the issue.

* What I had, and many others I think, is a partial separation of the Rectus Abdominus from the Pubic bone. This does not show up on a MRI, unless contrast solution is injected and the radiologist is told to look for it.

* Core stengthening and better running form helps mitigate the condition and may be all you need. Rest actually accomplishes nothing, except frustration and time wasting, as it doesn't hurt when you rest, but starts right back again as soon as you move, because nothing has healed; white tissue does not re-attach itself to bone. Forget it. So if it's bad, you need surgery, period.

* I went to Dr Cattey in Milwaukee. After months of uncertainty, in 10 minutes he knew all about it and the next day in about 90 minutes he fixed it.

* Cattey placed a 4" square polypro mesh over the muscle and bone; the muscle intertwines with the mesh, and tacks hold the other end to the pubic bone.

* I went for a 2 hr walk the next day. In 2 weeks I jogged. In 4 weeks I couldn't tell it ever happened (except I was out of shape from taking 6 months off). End of problem.

* While in Milwaukee, I saw soccer and hockey players waltzing on in, without having blown 6 months agonizing about it. Their coach just said, "You have a sports hernia (sic); here's where you go to get rid of it; see you in a couple weeks on the practice field".

I hope your issues are resolved as easily as mine (finally) were.

i also had a left sided issue, i actually had bilater sh but the left side is what hurt first, and much worse. preceding it was a series of injuries on teh left- first the foot, then the knee (twice). i think that those injuries lead to imbalance which in turn cause the sports hernia(s).

the testicle pain is very common. the pelvic pain is also common. tailbone, perineum, root of penis, etc, can all be affected by this injury and the changes this injury causes to the muscles. compensatory patterns cause pain and they are painful during the process of reorganization.

joe is dead on about working your core but do it slowly and be mindful of how you do it. take your time overall. stretching too deeply can also cause more irritation and lead to more problems. that happened to me pre-op and post-op; deep lunge/spoas stretches may feel good but also stretch the nerve(s) that is irritated in teh injury so be careful with it. my pt, pre-op, had me doing way deep stretches. i was wondering why it always hurt afterwards, now i know. i only made my recovery harder.

a rolfer is a very good idea but give it time before going to see one. i waited 6 or 7 months. go see the best manual therapist you can, they can help. a rolfer may not be able to prescribe a pt protocol for you unless he/she is also a pt. any pt who claims to use "rolfing techniques" is not a rolfer, and that woudl be a bogus claim and i would seek out a certified rolfer.

he or she can help you with those imbalances.

yoga will be really good for you postop but don't go for gold, take it slow.

same with pilates, it helped me some but also made my hamstring worse. the instructor must be aware of the condition of your core and hwo sensitive it is at the time of treatment. flareups can happen easily, as you have read here, so take it slowly.

it's been a year and a half post-op for me so far and things are improving but really slowly. i am not considered a failure, however, but one of those people who was totally wounded and dyfunctional by the time i had gotten a diagnosis. so it will take time to get back to "normal." it sucks but this is the reality of this injury if you get it pretty badly and go a long time without proper help.

Hmmm I have been injured going on YEAR numer 3. One PT thought a torn labrum,my MRI from 2 yrs ago shows nothing abnormal. Chiropractic has not helped, nor has Rolfing, Accupuncture, Neuromuscular work, or rest. I have thickening in the iguinal ligament area and slightly larger lymph nodes on the right side, no amount of lymph drainage keeps it clear.

This is a frustrating problem as 10 mins into most runs my right rectus femoriis aches and goes under power much like when a muscle is burning with exhaustion after a set of weight training at the Gym. So far no diagnosis and since I have no health insurance I spent $4000 out of pocket last year alone with a Sports Doc, a couple of different PT's a Chiro and on and on. I just want to run without all this hinderance.... Have any of you had thickness in the inguinal area and a shutting down of the leg when running? Thanks for your response in advance....

Sarah,

I'll ask you the same question I asked myself. Why are you still running? I did a lot of damage to my body because I didn't stop running and playing soccer when I knew there was a problem 8 months ago. Now I have a bad hip, bad ankle, and a sports hernia. I'm sure you love running, playing sports like the rest of us. But until you get it diagnosed and fixed, you are probably doing a lot of harm to yourself, especially if you have a sports hernia.

I don't think I've had your symptoms, but more recently I've gotten a burning sensation in my left adductor and groin with some fleeting pains throughout my pelvic region.

A couple questions regarding Dr. Meyers...

How do you get in to see him? I had called asking about getting in for an appointment and they just took my number and said they would call back (they didn't).

Do you need the MRI done ahead of time? I have no problem taking multiple trips to Philly (only a 2-3 hour drive.)

Does anyone know which insurance companies will and which will not cover this procedure? (I have Aetna.)

Hi guys! You have still not made any comments regarding your thoughts about testicular artrophy and spermatic cord-damage.

Also;I found this article:http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge-newspaper-2006/jan-16.html I am from Sweden and even here the Mayo clinic is a big deal so I take this paper very serious.

//Carpenter

Carpenter,

I'm meeting a surgeon on Monday and will add it to my list of questions for him.

Sub6,

Try emailing Marcia his clinical assistant...she's great. You really need to push to get an appointment because Meyer's is so busy...but, they are very accommodating, rest assured.

Marcia.Horner@drexelmed.edu

You don't need an MRI ahead of time necessarily, although it will speed up the process. Ask Marcia exactly what how your hospital should conduct the MRI.

Some insurance companies still feel this procedure is "experimental" only because there are few surgeons who actually understand the issue and can fix it. I would ask Marcia what her experience has been with Aetna...Blue Shield paid about 90% of mine. And, just so you know, surgery on both sides was about $30,000...it's FAR less to go to Germany as you may have read on this thread. So that's a consideration to make.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

joe

Jaco!

What did your surgeon say?

Carpenter - I met with him yesterday afternoon. He's performed 8 SH surgeries - not super experienced in the proceedure, but really seemed to know his stuff. None of his patients have experienced testicular atrophy or cord damage - and they've all had tears in the inguinal canal - on the back side or floor of the canal - impossible to see with an MRI, etc.

He does not believe my condition is SH. My pubic bone lights up on the MRI, and he thinks it is due to a chronic overuse condition, exacerbated by a pelvic fracture I had 28 years ago in the same area - possible arthitis setting in, possibly inflamation that we can control...so he presrcibed hitting it with 30 days of prescription naproxn and a steroid blast.

Joe,

Thanks! I'll email her tomorrow.