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

you should see multiple sports med docs to be checked for a hernia, they often get missed.

could be a sports hernia, sounds like it to me but im no doctor.

try to see if one of the sports med docs can refer you to either dr meyers or maybe even use your soccer leads to get to a trainer/physician for your local pro team. that would be the best. they send their injured players to dr um in germany or the fellow in canada or meyers.

despite what people say about healing it through core training, i doubt very much it would heal, just maybe the nerve(s) that cause the pain you feel will mellow out. i wish i could offer better advice.

do lots and lots of research on the injury. that eventually will lead you to figuring out where to go get checked out.

you should find a doc who not only does his/her specialty, but one who has a solid grasp on the body as a whole- a doctor who performs applied osteopathy tends to be like this. although he may not be able to diagnose a sh, he can probably get a good idea of the imbalances that you have in the groin and that for sure can help point you in the right direction for treatment.

if you are within driving distance to philly, no doubt go see meyers. it might be worth it to even fly there. hell, a bunch of us flew to germany.

I have united health care and i got covered for the sports hernia surgery. William Meyers did mine. I am 3 months out, and I am now doing my stretches, doing a bike for 20 minutes, jogging on and off for 10 minutes and doing this half elyptical machine for 5 minutes. I am happy with the surgery so far. Dr. Meyers is the MAN.

I had sports hernia surgery just about a year ago, and everything is better, except for a small strain/soreness stemming from the scar. is this just scar tissue that will eventually loosen up? or is this something i should really be careful about? it doesnt hurt when i run, but it is sore afterwards. i have been running on and off for about 9 months and starting to build back up to around 50 miles a week. can i start training more and race a little? anyone have any suggestions about starting to race post-surgery? any advice will help. thanks

bump

By far the most extensive and helpful resource I’ve found anywhere. Many thanks to all the generous posters. Have been most interested in following the people who are So Cal-based, including soccer player, Mike L and SoKal. And like soccer player (I think), I had been referred to Craig Smith.

Guess need to begin like everyone else with my story . . .

Currently 52 y.o. Active my entire life (basketball, tennis, martial arts, running, working out, etc.) Ten years ago found a bulge in right abdomen, above the crease where leg meets abdomen, right of navel, left of hip bone. It would pop out occasionally when I was lying in bed but I could always press it back down. Wasn’t painful so much as unnerving. Just didn’t seem normal. Researched the regular hernia route and, after many imaging tests, MDs (surgeon, sports med, ortho, etc.) and other research, a top surgeon said it could be a hernia (based on my description of a mass that could be pushed in) and said we should take a look—which, of course, to a surgeon means fillet you. Did an open procedure and found nothing, so he closed me back up. But he dug around in the inguinal area, not 5 inches higher and toward the hip bone. So after I healed up, I essentially worked myself back into shape and continued for about six years. But I continued to have discomfort and the bulge never went away. Finally saw Craig Smith, who thought it was a torn muscle or fascia rather than SH but recommended PT over surgery. Gave me the same sort of odds of success soccer player cited (about 50%). Back into rehab, gradually got back into the swing of things. But last December, while moving furniture to accommodate the Christmas tree, felt more of a pull in the central part of the abdomen and down into the groin. I could tell this was different. Unlike first episode, this was a discrete, definable action and following pain. Basically spent the entire Xmas season (2-3 weeks) lying around with ice on my abdomen and groin. Went thru another assessment with all the tests, including CT w/ contrast and MRI. All negative, tho one surgeon thought he could note a thinning of the abdominal wall that might be consistent with torn fascia. He suggested reinforcement with mesh. I declined at that time. Then went back to Smith, who thought this was an aggravation of the original injury and suggested therapy again, citing the 50/50 odds of success. (I do like that the guy is very honest in his assessment, and there’s something to be said for the integrity of a surgeon who counsels against surgery.) After months of work, finally got back into swing of things this past summer. But reinjured it again last week, and I had said that if it happened again, I’d seriously consider surgery.

And that's where I am. But this board has me considering and re-considering it, particularly the slow recovery time of many, the issues to consider (mesh/no mesh, open/lap, etc.) and the uncertain progress of others.

I’ve got many of the unfortunate positive symptoms: popping hip, pain in the crease, discomfort at times running into right testicle. But I’ve already had one unsuccessful surgery. If I do it again, it’s got to be right, and I’ve got to have pretty good odds that I’ll bounce back strong.

Part of this is adjusting to my body’s slowing down and adjusting my level of physical activity, for sure. Pretty much quit hard-style martial arts 20 years ago, when I pulled my groin on the side where I’m currently having problems, which may have been the start of it all, but I’m not a “lay around” kind of guy. I want to be active. And I’ve got a 5-year-old that I want to keep active with.

So, I’m really debating my next move—surgery or therapy. I’m going to begin with some more assessments. For you So Cal folks, I do have a highly recommended therapist (South Bay PT) and sports chiro (www.sobaysportsmed.com) that I’m going to check out. I guess my preference—given the odds I’ve been presented with and the generally longer-than-advertised recovery time—to continue to avoid surgery.

Since I’m now “part of the community,” I’ll continue to post progress as I am able . . .

Thanks again. This has been a tremendous source of info.

I am now 10 weeks post surgery and thought I would post some info. I went to Dr. Muschaweck who repaired two hernias and removed two lymph nodes that had gone bad. The first two weeks felt great partly because of the nerve blocks that I had during surgery. She really stresses the need to get out immediately and back to training which I did with a vengeance. Everyday since surgery I worked out progressively adding more load. I did a ton of walking and core stabilization work. Anytime I found myself hurting I would walk hard, it almost always alleviated the pain. After three weeks I started lifting weights 2 times a week. I started pretty light. What I found was that with the addition of each new activity or increase in intensity I would go through a cycle of pain almost as bad as pre surgery, but it would go away and the next time I worked at that level I would be ok. I just believed what the Dr. said and pushed on past the pain. After about the fifth week the intensity of pain from new activities decreased and would only last for minutes instead of days like it used to. Since the seventh week I have had almost zero pain. I think my nerves just had to settle down after being screwed up for so long. I am lifting heavier weights , doing tai chi for balance , Ken do workouts ,walking two miles a day and kicking , dribbling and running with a soccer ball a few times a week. I am really trying to cross train. I am staying away from my original sport of cycling trying to not re stimulate any old nasty muscle patterns.

I dont do pilates but I work very hard on my inner core muscles . Pilates works a lot of the outer core. I have started focusing on stabilizing my muscles that attach from the pelvis to the rib cage (transversus abdominus). I have been having good luck using stretch bands attached to a hook in the wall and pulling one handed without letting my body twist. If you twist you lose the inner core work and are stressing the outer core muscles (obliques). I do this in four directions, facing away and pushing, facing toward pulling one handed, standing sideways and pulling like a bow and then sideways pulling with the hand closer to the wall. It is really critical to stand very tall and not allow any movement of the torso. I really think this has helped me reeducate my movements under load,really allowing me to feel how the force travels from my feet to my hands in various positions. I think the exercise where you are on all fours and stretch out one leg and the opposite arm and hold it, is another good inner core exercise.

I am glad that I disregarded everyone around me and took the risk of going to Germany. The most stressful parts were the long flights and the airports. Getting around Munich was easy and the whole experience with Dr. Muscaweck and her team couldn't be better. They take such good care of you and make you feel like you are their number one patient.

I guess what I really want to say is that I am glad that Dr M was so certain about her work, adamant that I was actually fixed stronger then before I was ever hurt. She told me that my recovery would be proportional to how hard I worked out the first few weeks. Knowing she had fixed so many others gave me the confidence to keep at it even while hurting (though it wasn't easy). I wished It had been as easy as her waving her hands over me, It wasn't it was real surgery in a hospital under lights. It was sometimes painful afterwards but I could tell that I was fixed.

I am fixed after six years of getting the run around locally.I had been told by several doctors that there was nothing that they could find and that I was one of those patients that slips through the cracks. I am glad I found this forum and read the stories of those first few that were brave enough to go to Germany. It really gave me the confidence to go.

it is interesting

because um also says that one cannot begin activity untill the nerves have calmed down. in the beginning, after the surgeries, i was starting to get active but it hurt like hell to do anything.....she told me to take it easy and not exercise so much (i was barely active) and wait more weeks to months. now i am still barely active and activity often results in pain. it all has been reduced, meaning, i can do more than i could before, but still have issues with one side to where activity is very easy to overdo.

i wonder what her thoughts are on scar tissue growing over nerves and entrapping then within the first few months after surgery, if one isn't super active?

there was no way that i could have jogged or anything like that, the pain was very sharp and would have me bowled over.

j

hey john - thanks for posting your update it gives others, like me, hope! I have emailed you at the address you posted but not heard anything back.

Can i ask you and others if you have had issues adducting as this is one thing that i can do and dont really have any real issues with. I guess as i always hear about adduction pain that is something that makes me think perhaps i dont have a sh but then again i guess it depends on where the disruption is which gives differing symptoms?

i have had a diagnostic injection into my inguinal nerve which did not offer any relief and now we are going to try one around the genito-femoral nerve as looking as my pain pattern thats pretty consistent with that nerve. The lymph nodes that you had removed which nerve were they pressing on, if at all, and what symptoms did this elicit?

thanks for any advice you can give.

from this john-

adduction definitely bothers me on the bad side. adduction=pain off pubic bone, perineum and inguinal canal.

Hi, I just found this board, and have skimmed over it so forgive me if this has been answered elsewhere...

I am a 36 year old female. I'm training for my first half marathon.

I have 3 kids. During the 2nd and 3rd pregnancies I was having groin pain. The second pregnancy, I told the doc, and since it was small, like the size of a grape, my doc thought it was a lymp node, no big deal.

The third pregnancy, it was a bulge about the size of a raquet ball. She said it was a hernia. After having the baby I've had very few problems with it, if any.

Now, I'm training and this thing is really starting to bother me again. It's not bulging like last time, because I'm at my normal weight again, I assume. But it's very painful. Is this a sports hernia or a "regular" hernia?

My training is going great right now, and I think from what I'm reading I'm going to have to kiss my first half marathon good bye! I'm really bummed and wonder if any of you have advice or specific doctor recommendations for a person in the NE FLorida area...

Thanks!

HI JEM, Interesting case. My SH was undetectable except from an informed SH Surgeon like Dr. DiFiori (UCLA) DR. Meyers (PA) and Dr. William Brown (San Jose) They all checked manually probing the bottom of the inguinal canal to see if it was enlarged(compared to the good side. Some websites with Gilmore's groin have the same diagnostic technique. I just am not sure why, especially all hernia surgeons, cannot get on board for this 5 minute exam. My 13 months and 13 dr.'s of undiagnosis and misdiagnosis allowed my initial tear to go to a 3" SH tear. My nerves are not as acting up now because My otherside knee is really wacked. One Dr. says it is necrotic others say the MRI looks like inflamation. So unfortunately I am on a new pain train. Crutches and RICE.

Thank you JEM for the South bay contact. I am going down there soon and would love to get thier expertise. Go see Dr. DiFiori (Santa Monica UCLA) He is very good at diagnosis (310-319-3838). Hope we all get some great healing!

Thanks, Mike. I'm going to look into DiFiori for this go round.

By the way, made an error in posting some of those websites earlier.

The chiro is:

http://www.southbaysportsmed.com

, and the PT folks are

http://www.sportsmedpt.com

.

does anyone have much info. on what the risks are in continuing to do your activity with this injury? i am continuting to play tennis daily, in pain, and my mobility is getting worse every week.

Destinytennis,

I was trying to be nice before, but your latest post is distressing.

You NEED to stop playing tennis and get this injury evaluated by an expert IMMEDIATELY.

Buy a $300 plane ticket to Philly, go see Dr. Meyers, get your MRI and have it diagnosed.

Waiting and continuing to play with an injury is the absolute worst possible thing you can do for you body.

How can tennis even be enjoyable at this point? It wasn't for me when I hobbled off the court in pain. There wasn't enough wine in the world to stave off that kind of pain.

Rest, my friend. Call Meyers...google William Meyers Drexel and you'll find his info.

Better yet, email me at joebshoe at homtail.com and I'll send you 2 papers, and several sheets that explain what the injury is. You'll be able to self diagnose, even!

And if you try to see an osteopath, or an physical therapist or any other medical professional who doesn't know what athletic pubablgia is, you're only prolonging diagnosis and treatment.

Please don't wait. Take it from me. An avid tennis player who's only other form of strength training was yoga...the sport wreaks havoc on your body as you sprint, stretch and contort yourself into positions that a ripe for a sports hernia injury.

At the very least, take two weeks off, let your body chill out. What type of recovery time are you giving it, especially with an injury??

Sorry man, I just here the desperation in your voice because you want to rock it on the court but it only serves you pain. I know the feeling all too well.

Email me. Or Johnny. We can help you as much as you want to help yourself.

Joe

You have mail, thanks.

Hi all,

I am a collegiate gymnast and now 15 days post op from a bilateral pelvic floor repair with Dr. Meyers. I was diagnosed with a small inguinal hernia at my school but Meyers found no hernia during the surgery- so glad I went to him. Most of the surgical pain has gone down, however I am getting some soreness/ pain now with my adductors and around my scar tissue (especially on the left side, which was worse- a detachment of the rectus from the pubic symphisis). I started jogging a couple days ago but have since stopped and am deciding to wait to do anything until week 3 PO.

I am hoping that this new pain is just part of the recovery process and mostly due to the scar tissue buildup. I was reading up on this forum (which is by far the best resource I've found, aside from the info Meyers gave me) about neural therapy and that people have been praising this. What does it entail and what are the pros/ cons?

Our season is coming up in January so I need to be ready quickly. I am going to start rehab at 3 weeks post op. I do a lot of high impact tumbling/ twisting/ connection tumbling and hoping to get back into that within 7-8 weeks or so. We'll see, here's to hoping....

Just wanted to throw in my own story. I will check back often.

neural therapy is very effective for pain and scar tissue...

i have a question for you regarding the pelvic floor repair- what were your symptoms before surgery?

how did meyers see a pf tear, was it via mri or did he find it while he went in surgically?

i wonder why dr um never treats a torn pelvic floor in all of her thousands of surgeries. you would figure at least a few of her soccer patients would have lots of damage.

lots of us experience post op pain...lots of different surgeries do it, too.

Johnny,

Symptoms before surgery was pain that was difficult to pinpoint along the left of my rectus (and sometimes right side to a small extent). After I finished my tumbling passes I would have soreness across my lower abdomen like the secondary, diffuse pain of a punch. I was unable to hold an "L" for a long time like I used to, my left side felt very torn ("L" hold is when you sit with both legs out straight and push down so you are supporting yourslef with your hands and holding your feet straight out above the ground.)

My MRI showed a focal tear on the lateral edge of my rectus abdominis on the left and detachment from the pubic symphysis. The right side showed no visible damage. I had interstitial tearing of my adductor(s).... This is all directly from the MRI report.

When Dr. Meyers went in (clinically based on my slight pain on the right he wanted to do it bilaterally to prevent it from flaring up) he said there was more tearing on the right than the MRI showed. So he was glad we did it bilaterally.

It makes sense that my left side was heavily damaged given the way i twist while i am flipping and the stress it puts on my left side when i land. I think the creeping problems in my ride side/ adductors were a result of compensation. I was still doing fairly high level gymnastics (triple twists, double flipping saltos) just getting pain with it and unable to get in the numbers I needed. It was progressively getting worse and season is creeping up on us, so we decided to address it now.

Thanks for the quick reply!

Just came across this thread, to make things short I have had two sports hernia operations by two different doctors that have been mentioned on this thread. Now after my second operation things were going good but the pain is returning to my groin. I was running great for a few months after the first one, so it was fixed. I can't believe this. I don't have time to read all of this thread but I am curious later to see if any one else has had problems similar or if this could possible be something else.