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

Well since it was this blog that helped me I thought I would post my own experience with what ended up to be a sports hernia.

Started 3 years ago after I pulled up on a wrench from work. I had felt some type of tear (not painful but just a tear) on the left side of my abdomen. It was a little tender but not terrible. Went to my family physician since I was planning on training and running my first marathon to make sure I did not have an actual Hernia. Had never heard of a sports hernia yet. He took a look and since he could not see a bulge sent me on my way.

Started running and training with pain in abdomen coming and going. Would get worse and then better (Ice did not help nor did rest) but I was able to run through it and completed the my first marathon in Philly in just over 4 hrs.

After that - got cocky and decided I want to qualify for Boston. Following year training increased but so did pain. Sometimes it was so bad I could only run a few miles . Lower middle abdomen felt very swollen. Still went ahead and ran three marathons within 6 months of each other - Marine Core, Philly and Cape May. I was able to get my time down to 3:42 in Philly but by Cape May - not only was I unable to cough or sneeze without bending over but just getting out of bed was tough. By this time I had been to three doctors all of whom said they could not find anything wrong with me. My family physician, a regular hernia surgeon, and a sports medicine Dr. The last Dr really scared me since he had me have a Cat scan and could still not find anything wrong. He was thinking about doing some pain shots and possible exploratory surgery which did not give me any sense of confidence so I ignored it.

By now my training mileage was between 35 - 55 miles per week.

So being stubborn I ignored the pain and I decided to up the training (doing a 20 mile run once a month) and by spring I had done a 58 mile week when my whole right side went to hell. My ankle started to bother me, hips, both sides of my groin etc etc. That was my high mileage mark and everything went to hell after. I was never able to run more than 20 - 25 miles after that since the pain was just too bad.

About 6 months ago I gave up on the Dr's and instead elected to try my own research. I googled abdominal pain during running and this blog came up. After reading it I decided to contact Dr Myers office (since I only live an hr away from Philly). Within two weeks his assistant Marcia had me come down and do an MRI and then immediately meet with Dr Myers. He spent 5 minutes with me and immediately diagnosed me with a sports hernia. He said the MRI clearly showed the damage and said I was a good candidate for his procedure. He was the first Dr to diagnose me with any sense of confidence which also gave me confidence. Also the fact that I knew he has done some major professional athletes also gave me confidence.

So I had the surgery (bilateral abductor release) 4 weeks ago and this being my first full week back to running am up to 26 miles and so far feeling great. I can't believe I ran 4 marathons feeling the way I did - I guess you can get used to just about anything. Stomach feels great and ankle getting better (I am doing some ankle strengthening exercises that are helping and also wearing a brace). I don't need to bend over to sneeze or cough and can get out of bed in the am without having to pull myself out.

Long story short - You could probably live your whole life with a sports hernia but if you like to do sports or you do allot of heavy lifting your gonna have problems. Also trust me - it will not go away on its own. During the 3 months I took off before the surgery I felt hardly any difference at all. Still needed to bend over to cough and sneeze and pull myself out of bed in the morning.

If you have a sports hernia and train hard like I am (still plan to qualify for Boston) then forget it unless you have surgery. If you press your luck and run through the pain it will effect your stride which will effect your balance which will in effect cause all kind of other problem (knees, ankle etc.)My PT had me doing hip exercises and groin exercises in order to re strengthen my core. He says since my abdominal muscles quit working my glut-es quit providing any power during my stride and instead my hamstrings took over. That makes total sense since I had such a hard time keeping them flexible. They always felt really tight and I just felt like I could not get any power out of my legs. I had the cardio down - just could not will the legs to move any faster. Kinda like running with a big rubber band around both of your legs.

Dr Myers is no longer taking insurance so he would be considered out of network. However the surgical center he does the surgery at (located in the Philadelphia Navy Yard) does take Blue Cross Blue shield so only the Dr Myers portion (around 7K) is out of network. The surgical center is around 8K and again in network. Both Dr Myers, his staff (especially Marcia his assistant) and the people at the surgical center were absolutely wonderful. I could not be any happier with how I was treated. I recommend you get pre certified by your insurance before getting the surgery (i.e. make sure they will pay for at least part of it and that they deem it a medical necessity). Dr Myers will provide a letter detailing his diagnosis of you and also what the surgery entails which you can give to your insurance. You will need to get the surgical codes from him in order to get pre certified. I do not believe there is a standard code for sports hernia.

Compared to what I went through in running with the hernia - the surgery and the recovery were a breeze.

Feel free to reply to this thread and ask me any questions if you wish. I can only share my experieince and not diagnose yours however I do hope this post can help anyone else out who is going through what I went through.

Regards :-)

KB

I've had every surgery there is to have dealing with the sole called "sports hernia".

Bi Lateral Mesh Repair

Bi Lateral Dr. Meyers Repair

Bi Lateral Dr. Muschaweck Repair

....and finally, Bi Lateral Hip FAI repair by Philippon

None of these surgeries have worked to eliminate by adductor pain. I've been able to do some fairly serious training after my hip repairs, however I still have groin pain and for whatever reason I think I might have re-injured my right adductor problem from simply holding my legs together too tight while to some arm-based plyos last week.

I've even tried rehab, but to no real avail. As far as I can tell, the only way to attempt to correct this problem is to correct whatever hip flexion problems you have or get your glutes to fire properly. Good luck trying to figure out who has the right plan to fix those problems...

Both issues could be cause by messed up hips, but that repair hasn't seemed to fix my problem either....

The answer to groin pain associated with sports hernias is bulgarian squats. Surgeries don't fix it, and most peoples rehab regiments are a joke.

Bulgarian squats. Do a general lifting regiment but in it do some type of single leg squat, the bulgarian squat being perhaps the best in this case, and just keep doing it until your butt actually works the way it needs to so that the adductors aren't being asked to do too much anymore.

It takes time. You have to do it hard core, but eventually it takes care of it.

ookayyy. i see this thread has locked up again, since oct. 2010, and now there are a flurry of posts from various sufferers. i, too, have tried to contact the brothers that run this board, but they seem too busy to keep up with what it takes to run this thread properly. someone else suggested posting to the other sports hernia thread - http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=2799788&page=3 - and if you want someone to respond to you in a timely manner without worrying if this thread is up and running, post there. there is also another sports hernia thread at http://www.runnersworld.com/community/forums/injury-prevention/injuries/sports-hernia-3/.0 with over 200 replies to questions and inquiries. try there as well.

Hi, I just found this thread - I found some films on Youtube about a surgeon in England that operates on Sports Hernia's - he's called Gilmore and if you type in Gilmore's Groin you'll see him talking about the operation and giving advice on what to do if you have one.

I found it useful - hope you do too.

I to was a victim of the sports hernia for many years. I was misdiagnosed for approximately 2 1/2 years, while I was in my mid twenties. My friend Sal Raffa is an assistant trainer for the Philadelphia Flyers and pretty much diagnosed me over the phone after I explained my symptoms. I had a lot of pain in the groin area, that affected me in every which way. He sent me to Dr. Meyers (the best)with Drexel Medicine in Philly. I didn't have all the common symptoms of a sports hernia. After an Mri, it showed I had bilateral tears and lots of inflammation on the pubic bone and in the pelvis, which cased me great pain for lots of years. I tried physical therapy and anti-inflammatorys for another 2 years. That failed and I had surgery in May 2010. One year later I feel great. I still get minor flair ups with inflammation but Alieve takes care of that. Ive learned that its important to follow the rehab program immediately and start with the massage therapy immediately. Dr. Meyers and his staff are the best in the business and he is worth any price to have this problem fixed. The more I strengthen the core, the less times I will need to take Alieve. Any questions u can contact me. It was also my first surgery and it went great. I strongly recommend it.

I am also seeking options for sports hernia in Canada. Did you see dr. Khwaja in Montreal? If not what did you do? Thanks a ton.

I am also seeking options for sports hernia in Canada. Did you see dr. Khwaja in Montreal? If not what did you do? Thanks a ton.

Hey all, I just wanted to share a positive story with those who are concerned about this surgery and its complications. I am a 40 yr old Connecticut hockey player who pulled a groin muscle while playing in a men's league. I probably should have rested more, but went back to playing and over time felt some familiar (to the people on this thread) pain in my lower abdomen on the right side. More playing (playoffs) and before long I had torn both sides. I stopped playing completely and tried to heal it for about four months. Some of the inguinal canal pain on the far right side of the groin disappeared and healed--but I still had pain around the mid center at the pelvis, right where the rectus muscles attach to the bone. A sports hernia.

I decided, based on this thread and others (after a few pointless sessions with a physical therapist) to go see Dr. Meyers in Philadelphia. Meyer's staff was friendly and professional -- they are located in a colonial house on the Philadelphia Naval base, not far from the surgical center. I had an MRI done at a local place in the city--the experience was not too bad.

I never actually saw the MRI photos, nor asked for Meyers to explain them to me. Interestingly, Meyers gave me back the disk itself which I thought was admirable. (I guess so I could shop around my injury if I wanted to).

I decided quickly after meeting with Meyers to do the surgery. I returned the following week with my family, and we stayed at a nearby hotel at the airport.

I had both sides done, and Dr. Meyer's fee came to $8500. Meyers doesn't accept insurance, but I am on a PPO (BCBS) so I expect that 70% will be covered. That doesn't cover the charges for the surgical center itself, by the way, but I understand that is "in-network" so 90% will be covered under my plan.

My surgery took place at around 9am. I was surprised to learn that I was the 7th surgery of the morning. Quite a factory they have there. They put an IV in your arm, and roll you into the cold OR, and in seconds you are completely out.

I was out for two hours under general anesthesia, and woke up disoriented and weak. There is quite a lot of bruising initially as blood collects in your genitals. It is quite disconcerting but goes away in the first week. I don't suggest you show your wife.

I am now in week 3 and I am jogging again -- and I just went for my first skate. I feel great -- The abdominal muscles are still tight, but there is no more pain. (One stupid thing I did in week two was peek under the bandages, which made the wound get infected when exposed to ocean water. Some Keflex and antibiotic ointment has helped clear it up. Don't peek!)

At any rate, I consider this operation a complete success, and I am really pleased that I made the right decision. I think if you haven't improved in 3 months, you might want to consider the same. Happy to answer questions at

aboer@emptor.com

.

Hey all, I just wanted to share a positive story with those who are concerned about this surgery and its complications. I am a 40 yr old Connecticut hockey player who pulled a groin muscle while playing in a men's league. I probably should have rested more, but went back to playing and over time felt some familiar (to the people on this thread) pain in my lower abdomen on the right side. More playing (playoffs) and before long I had torn both sides. I stopped playing completely and tried to heal it for about four months. Some of the inguinal canal pain on the far right side of the groin disappeared and healed--but I still had pain around the mid center at the pelvis, right where the rectus muscles attach to the bone. A sports hernia.

I decided, based on this thread and others (after a few pointless sessions with a physical therapist) to go see Dr. Meyers in Philadelphia. Meyer's staff was friendly and professional -- they are located in a colonial house on the Philadelphia Naval base, not far from the surgical center. I had an MRI done at a local place in the city--the experience was not too bad.

I never actually saw the MRI photos, nor asked for Meyers to explain them to me. Interestingly, Meyers gave me back the disk itself which I thought was admirable. (I guess so I could shop around my injury if I wanted to).

I decided quickly after meeting with Meyers to do the surgery. I returned the following week with my family, and we stayed at a nearby hotel at the airport.

I had both sides done, and Dr. Meyer's fee came to $8500. Meyers doesn't accept insurance, but I am on a PPO (BCBS) so I expect that 70% will be covered. That doesn't cover the charges for the surgical center itself, by the way, but I understand that is "in-network" so 90% will be covered under my plan.

My surgery took place at around 9am. I was surprised to learn that I was the 7th surgery of the morning. Quite a factory they have there. They put an IV in your arm, and roll you into the cold OR, and in seconds you are completely out.

I was out for two hours under general anesthesia, and woke up disoriented and weak. There is quite a lot of bruising initially as blood collects in your genitals. It is quite disconcerting but goes away in the first week. I don't suggest you show your wife.

I am now in week 3 and I am jogging again -- and I just went for my first skate. I feel great -- The abdominal muscles are still tight, but there is no more pain. (One stupid thing I did in week two was peek under the bandages, which made the wound get infected when exposed to ocean water. Some Keflex and antibiotic ointment has helped clear it up. Don't peek!)

At any rate, I consider this operation a complete success, and I am really pleased that I made the right decision. I think if you haven't improved in 3 months, you might want to consider the same. Happy to answer questions at

aboer@emptor.com

.

Thanks to all of you for the information on this forum--you helped me make the right decision...and I hope this helps someone else.

Amazing, there are others like me... I was in pain for 1,5 years trying to solve the issue with core stabilization exercises and then decided to do the laparoscopic mesh repair (TEPP) which is in fashion among Greek soccer and basketball players. Well, that didnot go well. 10% or not, I was the case with extreme postop pain in other areas of the abdominals, due to the mesh and the nails. After 1 year of exercises and rehab I managed to reduce these pains and I was left with the original one (as well as two useless meshes for life). I was about to give up and start taking the pills that doctors gave me to deal with "chronic unidentified neurologic pain" but then i remembered Dr.Muschaweck. She really is the latest trend in SportsHernia but i didn't choose her in the first place because she sometimes resects nerves to eliminate the sense of pain. So i visited her and she told me that she does this only in a 5-10% of the cases and that it's not a big issue apart from a numbness in the area (if you search in the internet the percentage switches from 5 to 95%...)But hey, this is a body area very crucial for me and my family...

So my question is: can anyone fill me in on this nerve cutting issue?

P.S: Fuerza, I am as angry as you but dont take it personally, its only business for the doctors. My doctor was sencere enough to tell me pre-op: "I'm best at what i do and i guarrantee I will do it properly, let's hope it will work". Overall, I think that the best way to start with operations must be with Muschaweck's minimal repair and if that doesnt work you can always get the mesh or open your guts and cut your abductors.

Hi there,

I am a 36 year old biological mother of 1 and "bonus mom" of 2 more. I teach kindergarten, and was in pretty good health before I became pregnant. I worked out with a trainer 2X per week, ran 2-3 miles and did 2 spin classes each week.

After I became pregnant, about 2 years ago I started experiencing groin pain. Fast forward and the pain is still there. I cannot exercise, and I have difficulty taking care of my children/household and working. I am seeing a Chiro, Accupuncturist, PT, and wearing belts/braces and nothing is working.

I have just had my first X Ray showing a diagnosis of Osteitis Pubis. I am seeing my first Ortho on Monday.

No one knows how to treat this. The pain is limiting/affecting my life and it is dibilitating, depressing and

difficult.

If anyone knows anything, I would appreciate info.

Thanks,

Sara

Hi Gilmore, have you had your surgery in Greece?

If yes we could discuss our experiences. I had the TEP as well.

anybody know anybody that deals with this in central Florida thanks

After months of dull pelvic, lower abdominal groin pain while running I experienced a sharp pain followed by severe groin and inner thigh pain during a basketball game. Eight months later of varying degrees of pain and inabilty to return to full activity, here I am. Six months after mis-diagnosis of muscle pulls to strains I found the answer myself reading about sports hernias.

I found a doctor in San Antonio that has a radiolgist now that can diagnose a sports hernia through MR images. The findings came back as a sports hernia with obviously more technical discriptors in the report.(I can provide that if anyone is interested).

He recommended surgery and is working with a local general surgeon(only surgeon in town handling these type of cases) that is using a non-tension mesh procedure to reinforce the area. My "stripping" is across the mid-line so mesh will be used on both sides with an overlap in the middle.

My other option besides surgery is to attempt a longer rest period, probably 6 months, to see if I can get it back to normal. I don't feel confident that rest will work. My problem with surgery is the lack of detail surrounding the degree of the injury. Based on this blog there are mixed results and various procedures which leads me to belive there are varying degrees of injuries. Therefore, I'm skeptical about my one surgical option I have avaialble in San Antonio.

Hey folks,

A few people have contacted me wondering how I am...here is what I am telling them.

First of all, the operation worked. I am 100% now (3 months or so now) thanks to Meyers. Playing hockey 3 times a week, and have dropped the weight I gained...about 10 pounds.

Second, the operation isn’t cheap, even with PPO insurance. Out of pocket you are looking at $8500 for just Meyers, plus cost of the surgical center. If insurance covers none of that, I’d guess 12-13k out of pocket but I don’t really know since I never got the surgery center bill. You can talk to Meyers office, they are friendly and upfront. If you find out the cost, reply to this post.

Third, the operation will hurt and take at least three weeks to recover. Only the first week is bad and I was only on pain meds for 2-3 days. Btw, I didn't do any professional physical therapy except the prescribed exercises and running, and I healed just fine (probably not a good idea).

Fourth, this surgery feels like a big scary risk, but 1) the risks really aren’t so high (like a 96% chance of total success) and 2) you only have one life, and if there is any good reason to spend money, this is it. I went with the guy who does these all day, every day. The guy Brown in Palo Alto also seems to have the right approach. I was wary of the mesh approach.

Fifth, if it has been 3 months, you won’t get better on your own or w. physical therapy if you have a sports hernia. I think trying to build scar tissue on a sports hernia is like trying to glue a hole in a balloon (I don’t have the right metaphor, but you get the idea.) You need to sew things back together to be able to build up the tissue.

Sixth, the above statement is not a diagnosis as I am uninformed as to your condition -- and I am not a doctor...I am telling you this because if you are like me, you need to hear it. I kept searching online for some other solution that never materialized. Finally, someone credible told me point blank that nothing else would work. I listened and it was the right decision, so I am telling you the same.

Seven, your mileage may vary. At least one person I spoke to said he had heard "scary things" about Meyers/ When I met Meyers and I was instantly convinced he was a pro. If you do not need the surgery, I sincerely believe Meyers would not try to convince you that you do. The man runs a lucrative factory there and doesn't need the headache.

That’s my take, happy to answer any other questions at

aboer@emptor.com

.

Best,

CTHOCKEYMAN

'London Sufferer' - how did it go? I'm also in the UK and going to see her.

will(at)willusher.com

I have seen reference to our clinic in the message board, please excuse posting but this is to provide the link to the information that others have mentioned to make it easier to find.

http://www.thegilmoregroinandherniaclinic.co.uk/the-groin-and-hernia/

This page contains information about the condition together with interviews with Jerry Gilmore the pioneer of the surgery and Simon Marsh the current surgical director of the clinic and also presentations from recent symposia

Also attached is a link to an article that we have written about the problems that we have seen with patients who have undergone a mesh repair

http://www.thegilmoregroinandherniaclinic.co.uk/approach/second-opinion-and-third-party-surgery/

I hope that users of the message board find this helpful

Thank you

Sports hernia confirmed for me. I have surgery scheduled for next week with Dr. Brown in Fremont.