Sports Hernia

Playing football tends to result in more injuries then other sports, most of which occur on the pitch rather than in training. One third of football injuries develop over a period of time through the overuse of certain muscle groups, especially in the lower body, or by continuing to play when you already have a slight injury.

What Causes a Sports Hernia?

A sports hernia is not a hernia in the traditional sense, because it doesn't create a hole in the abdominal wall. A sports hernia is caused when muscles in the abdominal wall are weakened through overexertion, causing a tear in the groin muscles. If you suffer a sports hernia, your groin will be very stiff and sore, and moving normally will be painful. This type of injury is very common in football because a great deal of pressure is exerted on the pelvic area when kicking, sprinting and turning.

Prevention of a Sports Hernia

Doing more core strength and core stability exercises will strengthen pelvic muscles, which will help players to withstand the large amount of force that this area of the body is subjected to when playing football. This will help to reduce the risk of developing a sports hernia.

Treatment for Sports Hernias

In some cases it is possible to continue playing after suffering a sports hernia, but the injury will probably get worse if left untreated. Sports hernias can often be difficult to diagnose, so it is advisable to see a hernia specialist who may take a MRI scan to confirm it. Getting plenty of rest, using ice treatment and taking anti-inflammatory drugs will reduce the pain and swelling in the short term. Physiotherapy will also help. If the injury doesn't get better after taking these measures, surgery may be necessary to repair the weakened area of the abdominal wall. Rehabilitation following surgery usually takes about 8 weeks.