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

I didn’t have my nerve removed and wonder if I should have. My understanding is the nerves does grow back pretty quickly (mm per day) and so within a couple of months they would be back in the zone to cause discomfort (if indeed that is the cause of the problem)I need to question my surgeon in more detail but I remember him saying he didn’t remove nerves as they can grow back ‘funny’ and in his experience there is remembered pain (ie leg hurting after being amputated) At the time I thought that sounded like rubbish but after rems comments I am not too sure now.

As for me I ran for the first time since December this weekend (2 miles sat, 6 mile cross country sun) Other than usual aches and pains from being out of shape I have no groin related symptoms at present. The past week has been really good in general. The discomfort levels are definitely down and I had introduced proper weights workouts again. I am massaging scar tissue aggressively every day followed by ice and TENs for 15 mins and then using the foam roller. I am also wearing the Lidocaine patches for 12 hrs a day (overnight.) It could be a lucky week but fingers crossed. I’ll update again in a few weeks

test

Okay, it seems as though this thread has become completely unstable and unreliable in regards to being operational. I've contacted the owners, wejo and rojo, as far back as a year ago about how this thread often goes down and locks up for weeks at a time. It was explained to me that they purposefully shut it down to free up bandwidth for 'more important' threads. I know others have contacted them as well, but our concerns to keep this IMPORTANT thread up and running seem to be falling on deaf ears (sorry brojos, but I have to call it like I see it).

The other sports hernia thread "sports hernia/athletic pubalgia" seems to be working properly and has not been affected by this selective shutdown. I strongly suggest that people start posting there, either in addition to here or, as a substitute.

I will keep posting and helping and sharing about my experiences with my SH, but at both sites now.

@ Bill in AZ -

look up Dr. Willaim Brown in Fremont, CA

or

also on the west coast, Dr. Kevin Pedersen in Las Vegas.

Having surgery with Meyers this Wed. In search of physical therapist familiar with SH repair in Washington, DC or Rockville, MD area to assist with rehab.

@Mike in Denver

I'd like to talk to you about your experience with Dr. Petersen. I was diagnosed with an incipient hernia before I saw Dr. UM and even had a consultation with Dr. P for a planned surgery if the Munich trip was not productive. Is there a way to contact you?

You might want to search around and see if you can find a PT or a chiro who works with any local sports teams, ideally hockey or soccer. They might have some more experience than someone who has no experience with an SH.

Mike,

What is the ball park figure of your surgery? Will you be able to drive afterwards? Otherwise wondering how to get around.

Thanks.

The all-inclusive package price Petersen is $4000

This is the price he quoted me back in February 2009. I'm sure Mike can tell us if his price has gone up or not.

FYI: Shouldice Hospital is approx. $3600 and Muschaweck is approx 4600 Euros.

I stumbled across this site as I was scanning for a Dr. in Tampa FL area that I could see regarding what I suspect is a Sports Hernia. Does anyone here know of a Tampa area Dr. that either specializes or just understands about this injury? I have only had the injury about a month or so. I have not run in the past 10 days trying to rest it and see if any change. Not much really, and everything I read tells me that surgery may be the only sure way to fix it. Not my preference, but I want to RUN, and this is the first time a my entire career I am struggling. I'll do whats necessary to get this done, so I just want to find a Tampa FL Doctor I can trust with it. Anyone?

I'm not familiar with any well-known SH doctors in Tampa, but I'm sure you can call around to find out. My suggestion, and yes...I know it is quite a drive, but if you want an expert that has experience with SH's, go to Atlanta and see Dr. Hoadley. His name has been mentioned before on this thread. Best of luck...and if you are thinking of resting and rehabbing this on your own, it will take way longer than 10 days - more like many months.

PS: the one thing I will tell you to keep in mind is the mesh vs non-mesh repair approach. do you want something put in your body or not? do your research and read about the pros and cons of mesh-type repairs.

MUSCHAWECK SPORTS HERNIA REPAIR - ONE YEAR LATER

An update on my condition after having surgery

with Dr. UM.

It still hurts! There is something not right!

Several months into my recovery, which seemed to be

going well, I started to get some minor pressure

around the surgical area when sneezing or anything

that would increase my abdominal pressure. Month by

month this got worse. Now, anytime I lift my leg,

whether it is to go up stairs, tie my shoes, get in

and out of a car, exercise...anything...I feel a

lump or a bulge being pushed up in and around the

surgical site. When I reported this to Dr. UM, the

only explanation I got was that it was a ghost nerve

sensation because of the nerve being compressed

prior to surgery. I had a hard time believing that

so I ran it by my PCP and even he said that sounds

'iffy'. As the months progressed, more pains and

problems showed up. Now, if I bring my knees

together which subsequently collapses the center of

the groin area, I can feel something squishy and

loose moving around. It is a feeling that makes you

worry because you have this gut-feeling that

something is not right. I also get alot of burning

and stinging when I sit down and the weight of your

upper body naturally pushes downward to the center

of your body - on the pelvis and groin area. When I

laugh and clear my throat, I can feel this pulsing

and outwardly pushing sensation where the

superficial inguinal ring is.

Although I've communicated all of this with Dr. UM

on several occasions, her intent with all the

communiques is to tell me that there is nothing

wrong and that nothing can undo her surgical

procedure. Strangely enough, that is NOT the answer

I got when I called the famed Shouldice Hospital

and another pure-tissue repair hernia specialist.

Both said without hesitation that any pure-tissue

repair has the potential to fail or falter, even

theirs - referring to Shouldice, which is the

gold-standard when it comes to hernia repairs. I

further asked about cortisone injections to calm

the nerves and those places were quick to say,

"Nooo, don't do that!" They explained that

cortisone dissolves scar tissue and that is the

last thing you want with a hernia repair. The scar

tissue is what is binding the surgical site

together and preventing it from breaking open

again. When I questioned about its value and use in

breaking up adhesions or scar tissue that could be

entrapping nerves, again I got a big 'NO!' They

both said that there is no way to direct the liquid

once it leaves the syringe tip to a specific area

to only break up some excessive scar tissue and

leave the rest of it alone to continue doing its

job as the binder for the incised tissue.

I did get an invite from Dr. UM to return to Munich

for some testing and to see some specialists for

the pain, since she continues to believe that

nothing can go wrong with her procedure. She did

mention that if a repeat surgery would be

necessary, which she always says is highly unlikely,

that I would already be there. (Didn't she

have to re-operate on some athletes that had her

procedure because they continued to have pain

afterward? I thought I read that somewhere) Yes,

of course I will already be there, but who is

paying for all this?!?!? Excuse me for sounding

like this, but I, like most others who have gone to

Germany, had to pay for everything out-of-pocket. I

used most of my savings the first time around to go

to Germany because I thought I was getting 'the

best'. Who is going to pay for all these tests and

specialists if I return to Munich, not to mention

another surgery...and airfare...and hotel

costs...geeez!

I can respect the fact that she has helped many

people and apparently they are doing fine as you

hardly see them here once they are healed; but over

the past months I have gotten in contact with more

than a dozen people, mainly from this forum, who

ARE having problems following her procedure. I'm

sure there are more out there, I just don't know

who they are. Again, I can respect that they may

view her as a 'prayer from above', but you also

need to afford some respect to those that are not

healed and voice their opinions and tell about how

their recovery has gone.

At this point, I feel 'kicked to the curb'. She has

done her procedure, in her eyes the surgery that

day was a success, so she is done with me. In my

eyes, the surgery was NOT a success as I am still

having pain and problems - oh, and for those that

may be wondering, yes, I did do physical therapy

and I even waited a whole month before doing PT to

make sure that things were primarily healed and

sealed internally before starting any rehab

program. So, it can't be said that I didn't wait

long enough before starting PT. Actually, I am

guessing that this is an arrogantly common practice

with surgeons. I have read similar horror stories

here and at other forums where other SH surgeons

operate on you and when you call them to report

that you are still in pain, you automatically get,

'Hey, I operated on you and things went smoothly in

the OR.'

I did months of research - reading this thread,

reading other forums, even emailing many here to

ask questions - before choosing her. In hindsight,

if I had to do all over again, I probably would

have chosen a US-based sports hernia specialist. At

least that way I would have had better access to

seeing him for follow-up care. Although many sports

professionals may have no problem going to Germany

whenever problems arise, they also have much deeper

pockets than regular people, not to mention the

financial resources of the organization they play

for.

My suggestion - anticipate post-operative

complications when planning to travel outside of the

country for surgical care. Although you hope for

the best, you often overlook the prospect that

you'll be one of the unfortunate guys that has the

problems - I know I did. Have even more money in

reserves if you have to return to that doctor for

her to address the problems you are experiencing.

My recommendation - find a doctor stateside that

does SH surgery. There were many mentioned in this

awesome thread, plus I have learned of 3 others

that apparently have been 'training' with Dr. UM

and know how to perform her 'minimal repair'

technique. (which, by the way, is the technique she

used on me, even though I requested her to do the

Shouldice technique. She assured me that the

Shouldice technique was overkill and that her

technique would yield the best results. I'm now

thinking that the Shouldice would have given me a

stronger repair since it is a quadruple layer

technique to compensate for intra-abdominal wall

pressure)

I know price drives many people to see her, but do

choose wisely when making the decision as to who is

going to cut into you. You are the one that has to

live with the outcome, not the surgeon.

My thoughts are with those that are still suffering

after surgery and best of luck to those considering

SH surgery.

I'm one year out next week and in the exact same boat.

rem,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having to deal with the same ill-fated results from Dr. UM's procedure. Since you are coming up on one year also, perhaps you could give us a detailed report on what the problems are.

I feel if more people know about the complications and the types of responses patients are getting from their surgeons, this will allow future SH surgery candidates to make some wiser choices on who to go to.

As I alluded to in my lengthy post, if someone had told me prior to going to Germany that I was going to be told what I was told from the surgeon, I, more than likely, would have chosen someone else.

Here's to getting better...for both of us!

I have also been operated by muschaweck, this was in 2006 and one week after the surgery I was back to do my abdominal training. This is me and my one special training.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWO81j2EyYo

I can say that I have had no problem what soever after the surgery and consider myself cured for life. I think my workout-regim is the key to me feeling so good right know.

I posted after my surgery and haven't been back on because it didn't post right away. Dr. Petersen charged me $6k for surgery on both sides. I have 2 four inch incisions at my belt line. I feel great. There is some numbness below the incisions and there is some discomfort when I wear pants that are tight at the beltline. I have been told that this will get better. It already has slightly, but is still like pins and needles right now. Otherwise, I have been fast walking 3-4 miles a day. I am cleared to start running and light weight lifting next week.

Dr. Petersen and his staff are awesome. I honestly can't recommend them enough. Very professional, very thorough and for the first time in a year I am pain free.

I was only kidding with that video of course. I think we need some humour in this situation. I am so jealous at that moron to be able to do those exercises.

Fuerza, thank you for your valid post! However in an forum you gave an american guy the advise to go to Germany and operate his SH and that post you posted the 20/2 just two days before you posted that you would have chosen someone else?

I am really not trying to be rude or anything beacause I understand you and how frustrating this injurie is but what made you change your mind in just two days?

I think you, Rem,, Monchi and Johnny the kayaker is the guys on this board with the most knowledge about this injurie and it is so hard do know what to do. You made a really valid point about calculating for the case of maybe needing to go back to Germany for more tests, operations when deciding to go their in the first place. Many of us I think is young guys who haven´t yet starting to make good money which mahe the financial situation really tough.

When you say that you have talked to more than a dozen people that have not getting cured by Muschaweck can you give alittle bit more info on what seems to be the problem in those cases? Is it for example that they have still adductor pain since she doesn´t adress the adductors or is it many that have the same problems that you have or is it someother problem like nerverelated or something? Would be really interseting to see a compilation of the data/info you have gotten from more than a dozen people beacause that is a large group.

And also alittle bit of what seems to be the common factor before the surgeries of those dozen people who hav not been cured. For example are they all soccerplayers did they all have this injurie for an unusual long time (like more then 2-3 years before surgery) and stuff like that.

On the other hand I think Mike in Vail was the perfect candidate for surgery with muschaweck since he only had have the injuries for a short time, it was a localized injurie an he seemd not so competitive in nature so I am sure he took it easy in the beginning.

Once again I will say that I fully understand your situation since I am in the same situation myself but I am not operated on yet thats the only diffrence. I can still function so well that I can keep my job but it is not fun at all and I don´t know how much longer I can take it. But going to Germany for surgery and maybe get worse so I can´t work and make money and then have to beg family and friends of money to be able to go back to Germany would be an absolut disaster. To be totally broke, not be able to make new money and to have seroius pain scares the hell out of me.

I am also really interesting to hear Rem:s current situation and symptoms since he seems to be a smart guy who do the right things it woulb be nice to see if he is doing any progress and exactly what is his worst symptoms now.

I spell like a 9 year old but don´t mind that.

Hey everyone,

4 things I want to put out there

1) Last time I was on these boards was in November. I just recently got insurance again--oh this crappy economy--and need to address this sports hernia. With that said, I was wondering what peoples recent experience was with insurance paying for this injury. Back in Novemeber, it looked dim. If any luck then with what doctor. BTW, my insurance doesn't cover out of country visits...except for emergencies.

2)Mike in Denver, does Dr.Peterson use mesh?

3) Have a visit with Dr.UM in NJ this upcoming week, but apparently she can't take her ultrasound equip. on the plane this time around. Damn underwear-bomer...screwing everything up.

4)Anyone ever heard of Dan Patrick. Apparently he recently had sports hernia surgery recently. Anyone know with what doctor?

Hey everyone,

4 things I want to put out there

1) Last time I was on these boards was in November. I just recently got insurance again--oh this crappy economy--and need to address this sports hernia. With that said, I was wondering what peoples recent experience was with insurance paying for this injury. Back in November, it looked dim. If any luck then with what doctor. BTW, my insurance doesn't cover out of country visits...except for emergencies.

2)Mike in Denver, does Dr.Peterson use mesh?

3) Have a visit with Dr.UM in NJ this upcoming week, but apparently she can't take her ultrasound equip. on the plane this time around. Damn underwear-bomber...screwing everything up.

4)Anyone ever heard of Dan Patrick. Apparently he recently had sports hernia surgery recently. Anyone know with what