Pubalgia or hernia of the athlete: prevention, diagnosis and treatment

Sports practice is an activity that provides numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. However, sometimes, excessive exercise or improper technique can lead to injuries that affect our health and well-being. Among these injuries, sportsman's hernia is a common condition that can limit the ability to perform physical activities and cause significant discomfort. It is essential that athletes are informed and aware of these injuries to take care of their health in the best way.

What is an athlete's pubalgia or hernia?

Pubalgia, also known as athlete's hernia or sports inguinal hernia, is a common injury in athletes that affects the groin area and lower abdominal area. It is characterized by chronic and persistent pain in the groin region, which may radiate to the inner thigh or genital area.

This injury is usually the result of repetitive movements, sudden changes of direction, or overuse of the abdominal and pelvic muscles, especially in sports such as soccer, rugby, hockey, and tennis, among others. Pubalgia can significantly interfere with athletic performance, and it is crucial to address it properly to avoid long-term complications and allow for a speedy recovery for the athlete.

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What muscles does pubalgia affect?

This injury mainly affects the muscles located in the inguinal region and the lower abdomen area. Among the muscles that are usually involved in this injury are the abdominal, adductor and pelvic muscles. Pubalgia involves an imbalance or weakness in these muscle groups, which can cause pain, inflammation and dysfunction. It is essential to strengthen and stabilize these muscles through specific exercises and appropriate treatment to relieve the symptoms of pubalgia and prevent future injuries.

Symptoms of athlete's hernia

The symptoms of an athlete's hernia can vary depending on each person's individual conditions and the severity of the injury. Generally, this injury manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• Pain in the inguinal region: It is the characteristic symptom of this injury, it consists of chronic and persistent pain in the groin area, which can be sharp or stabbing.
• Pain when exercising: Pain tends to worsen when performing activities that involve bending, rotating, or changing direction movements, such as running or jumping.
• Pain when coughing, sneezing or straining: Pain may intensify when performing activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure.
• Sensitivity and pain to touch: The affected area may be painful when you press on it.
• Pain in different areas of the body: The pain may radiate to the inner thigh, genital area, pelvis, or lower back.
• Inflammation and discomfort: There may be localized inflammation in the inguinal region, as well as a feeling of discomfort or heaviness in the affected area.

It is essential that patients keep in mind that the symptoms of an athlete's hernia may be similar to those of other conditions, such as muscle strain or tendonitis, so it is essential to obtain an accurate diagnosis through evaluation by a specialized health professional, such as a sports doctor or trauma specialist.

Causes of pubalgia in athletes

The causes of an athlete's hernia can be diverse, and are often related to the practice of different sports and movements. Among the most common causes that can cause this injury include:

• Overexertion and muscle overuse: Intense and repetitive sports practice can cause excessive wear and tear of the muscles, which can lead to irritation and inflammation of the tissues, increasing the risk of developing pubalgia.
• Repetitive movements: Sports activities that involve repetitive movements of flexion, rotation or sudden changes in direction can put excessive tension on the abdominal and pelvic muscles, potentially causing pubalgia.
• Trauma: Direct blows or trauma to the inguinal area can trigger pubalgia.
• Muscular weakness: An imbalance in the strength and stability of the core and pelvic muscles can increase the risk of developing pubalgia. Additionally, weakness in the abdominal muscles, adductors, or pelvic stabilizer muscles may contribute to the injury.
• Previous injuries: Previous injuries to the inguinal area, such as muscle strains or hernias, can increase the chance of developing pubalgia in the future.
• Anatomical factors: An abnormal alignment of the pelvis or a discrepancy in leg length can increase the load on certain muscle groups, increasing the risk of suffering from an athlete's hernia.
• Lack of adequate warm-up: Inadequate warming up before physical activity can increase the risk of muscle injuries, including pubalgia.

Diagnosis of athlete's hernia

Diagnosing pubalgia involves a thorough evaluation by a specialized medical professional. The professional will carefully evaluate the patient's medical history, perform a physical examination to evaluate the patient's condition, and order diagnostic tests to accurately confirm the diagnosis.

Tests that may be requested include studies diagnosis by imaging, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography, which allow confirming the diagnosis and evaluating the extent of the lesion. Additionally, functional tests may be performed to evaluate muscle strength, flexibility, and stability in the affected area. It is crucial to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

Prevention of pubalgia in athletes

Preventing pubalgia in athletes requires a combination of strategies to reduce the likelihood of it happening. To achieve this, measures such as following a well-structured training program that includes exercises to strengthen the necessary muscles and promote flexibility are highlighted. Likewise, warm up and stretch to prepare your muscles before playing sports and prevent unnecessary tension.

In addition, maintaining a healthy weight and being alert to any signs of discomfort in the inguinal region are key aspects to prevent this injury.

Treatment for athlete's hernia

Treatment for athlete's hernia must be adapted to the individual needs of each patient.. In many cases, a conservative approach that includes rest, physical therapy, and modifications in physical activity is recommended to reduce inflammation and strengthen affected muscles. Physical therapy may include specific stretching and strengthening exercises to improve stability and muscle function in the inguinal region. In more severe cases or when conservative treatment is not effective, surgery may be considered to repair the hernia and restore the integrity of the affected tissues.

How long does it take for pubalgia to heal?

The recovery time for pubalgia may vary depending on the severity of the injury, the treatment received and the individual characteristics of each patient. In mild or moderate cases, where there are no major muscle tears, recovery time can be several weeks. In more severe cases or when surgery is required, recovery time may be longer, extending up to several months.

Sports medicine clinic for pubalgia treatment in Madrid

In Elgeadi Clinic We understand how difficult it can be to suffer from an injury as painful and limiting as pubalgia. For this reason, we have a medical team specialized in sports injuries who will be able to accurately diagnose your injury and provide the appropriate treatment so that you can speed up your recovery and allow you to enjoy sports again as soon as possible.

Do not hesitate to choose us as your trusted trauma center to treat your pubalgia in the best possible way.