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

I run DI track (800m) and have been battling groin pain for the last year. At least two doctors think I may have a sports hernia, while others don't really believe in the surgery. Dr. Myers is coming down to our school this month to give a presentation on the surgery and my trainers/doctors are going to try to get him to look at me while he's here. My symptoms have varied and continually change, with one constant. I always have a very sharp pain with resisted adduction, even with minimal resistance. Other pain has come and gone in my lower abdoman, hip flexor, testicles, and symphasis pubis. At times it's been so bad I couldn't run, right now I am able to train- but only running strait. I can't do anything involving cutting. I've taken two 3 month rests with no improvements. I'll report back after the exam by Dr. Myers

800m man, I've had similar symptoms for about 9 years now, except I've had them disappear for up to 6 months at a time. Recently the pain moved from the right side pubic bone to my right hip flexor - really strange. I live 2 hours from Dr. Myers and my PT is familiar with his work - he does not believe I have Athletic Pubalgia because the issue moves around and has periodically disappeared - so maybe you won't need surgery - hopefully you get some time with Myers, I understand he'll be able to tell rather quickly if he can help.

These types of injury are extremely frustrating - I too ran for a D1 program - 25 years ago - so at least my best training and racing years were behind me when this set in - I feel bad for younger runners with this condition, because it really sucks.

Good Luck.

I'm, confused, who doesn't think you have this AP?

Your PT or did you see meyers and he said you don't have AP.

Sorry, the PT does not believe I have AP - I've never seen Myers. I'm 47 now and can probably run 17:10 on a good day, certainly not worth going under the knife at this stage of the game.

Backhand,

At the time of my surgery I had Blue Cross of California. I had to pay $700 out of pocket...the surgery was $30,000...which is way too much in my opinion. You could go to Munich to see Dr. Um (as good as Meyer's if not better) for $20,000 less and BCBS will likely pay for it with pre-authorization.

But...there are so many other roads to travel first before going into surgery. Prolotherapy, plasma platelet injections, etc. I have info on it all, just let me know how I can help.

Joe

I didn't need to be preauthorized to get reimbursed for the surgery in Germany. BCBS has a list of doctors in network, and Mushaweck was clearly listed. (I did include a letter with my claims/bills saying I needed that surgery from US doctor, but I doubt that letter really mattered.) Her letter saying how bad off I was, might have made some difference. But since she was on BCBS list of doctors in Munich it meant that I would recover every penny. That I think is all that matters. I spoke to several people at BCBS prior to my trip and I was told many different stories. One person said I would be reimbursed because She is listed another said I wouldn't receive any money. BCBS has a non US unit called World Access I believe, which will handle your claims. My advice is to call them. I sent them everything, including pictures from my surgery and the biopsy report from Mushaweck's lab saying how badly the nerve was damaged.

hi everyone;

5 days out from Dr Meyers' surgery... both sides with adductor release on the right side. Walked a mile each of the last two days; feels pretty good... however, hard to sleep sometimes cuz turning one way or the other increases the pain; its a good thing I'm on vacation.

Will keep you guys updated... and hoping my insurance will come thru.

re dr muschaweck's approach

it is misinterpereted that since um only opens up the skin in teh inguinal region, that she doesn't tend to rectus, pelvic floor, or oblique tears/symptoms.

but that is not true.

i spoke to her directly regarding this issue and she assured me that all possible tears in the tissues are inspected and corrected if need be.

so meyers isn't the only one who sews the rectus back to the pubic bone, etc..

i wanted to point that out for those who think there is only one option when they have symptoms of sports hernia. her approach is different than others- less cutting; only cut where it is absolutely necessary. i would consider that pretty good.

i don't meant to say by the previous post that meyers is not a good option.

its because i myself even thought that since meyers opens more, he must see more...

and because you domn't really read about muschaweck reparing the pf and whatnot.

its true that she doesnt do adductor releases of any kind.

but she does tend to the other variables.

I'm being told the surgery is $15K out of pocket for hospital, surgery (Meyers), anasthetics, etc, should I expect a flood of follow-on bills beyond this? I'm 4 years into this problem and it's now rendered me completely inactive. My insurance won't cover AP procedures. I had a General Surgeon fix what he claimed was a hernia that didn't protrude, things have gone south since then.

Rem-What type of repair did the physician do and what are your complications? I'm going to have a laparoscopic mesh repair for possible AP in 3 weeks with Dr. Thomas Novick in Charlotte (team Dr. for the Panthers). Depending on the diagnosis and if all goes well with my surgery he could be an option. My insurance (UHC) doesn't cover AP surgery via Meyers either. From my understanding, some Dr.'s just code for a regular hernia. Good luck, Chris

Hey Johnny,

Just inquiring about the NYC info. Thanks again for all your help. Chris

I had an open patch - since then the pain I had that prompted THAT repair is signigicantly worst in my lower abdomen (both sides) and center, groin pain and groin pulls. A recent MRI came negative as did a standard hernia exam.

anyone have contact info for dr david mulder at mcgill u in montreal, also for montreal canadiens?

thanks

johnny

In regards to Dr. Mulder in Montreal, can a non-resident of Canada get medical treatment in that country? I actually have a Cdn passport but reside in the US.

In my case, there's NO real time that I'm not in pain from this - sitting, lying, any activity..... 24/7.

rem

i had same deal before surgeries- pain all the time doing anything. bad pain.

surgery was necessary, no doubt.

i imagine you can get surgery up there but if you are a us citizen, prolly comes out of pocket 100%

i would spend the money to see meyers or muschaweck. muschaweck, in my opinion, would be the better choice due to her extensive experience with longterm sports herniacs like myself and many others.

you should email her clinic.

To say the options before me are unappealing would the the understatement of the year. Travel to a different continent, or pay ~$40k out of pocket for surgery that 'might' work.

muschaweck= roughly 5k per side.

flight= roughly 1k during summer.

diagnostic tests + post op visits are included. so is hotel/hospital stay while you are there.

it sucks but sure is better than getting worse instead of better. my quality of life was shit before surgery, which i didn't want till i got my diagnosis. i am very glad i went, totally poor now, but not in pain like i was.

First I have to say there is a wealth of info on this forum - thanks. A couple of questions:

Has any one has this surgery covered via insurace - I'm with Cigna. My understanding is that they call this 'experimental' and and won't cover.

Is Dr. Pierce (Midwest) a qualified expert in this area? Any personal experiences?

What is the longterm damage if one persists activities hopped up on pain meds?

Is there anyone from the New England area on this thread?