Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • March 5, 2014 Understanding causes & symptoms of sports hernias In recent years, sports fans who follow their teams closely may have noticed the rash of sports hernias occurring, which seem to be more common now than ever before. Though sports hernias are not new, their nature and a shift in how men and women exercise makes sports hernia injuries, which are more common in men than women, seem to be more prevalent now than they used to be. While there is no telling if sports her- nias are more common now than in years past, they do seem to garner more head- lines than they used to. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Sur- geons, sports hernias, known to medical professionals as athletic pubalgia, most often occur during sports that require sudden changes in direction or intense twisting movements. The growing popularity of core exer- cises, which require twisting movements, among fitness enthusiasts is one pos- sible reason why there seem to be more sports hernia injuries now than in years past. When done properly, core exercises should reduce the likelihood of sports hernias. However, many people do not use the proper form when exercising, and poor form during core exercises could result in injury, including a sports hernia. What is sports hernia? A sports hernia Program launched The staff of Ivy Rehab gathered for the launch of its ‘Lifestyle Wellness & Fitness Program,’ which promotes weight loss, good nutrition, and healthy habits for life. Ivy Rehab is located at 795 Franklin Avenue in Franklin Lakes. Call (201) 847-8585 for information. is an injury to the soft tissue in the groin area. Often painful, a sports hernia is most likely to occur during sports that require a sudden change in direction or intense twisting movements. When a person has a sports hernia, any soft tissue, be it a muscle, tendon, or ligament, in the lower abdomen or groin area is strained or even torn. Is sports hernia a “traditional” hernia? A sports hernia can cause an abdomi- nal hernia, but the sports hernia is not a traditional hernia. When a person has a traditional hernia, abdominal contents protrude into the inguinal canal. No such protrusion occurs during a sports hernia, but the name has stuck because many of the surgical treatments associated with sports hernias are similar to those associ- ated with traditional hernias. Who is most likely to get a sports hernia? Sports hernias most often affect male athletes who participate in sports that involve lots of repetitive twisting, such as ice hockey, soccer, and tennis. In fact, sports hernias are often referred to as “slap shot gut” by hockey players, as the pain is said to intensify when a player with a sports hernia attempts to take a slap shot. Are there symptoms of a sports hernia? Sports hernias do exhibit some symp- toms, most notably pain. Severe pain in the groin area is a common symptom of a sports hernia. This pain will likely dis- appear during rest or periods of inactiv- ity, but the pain is likely to return when one returns to playing a sport, especially if that sport requires twisting movements. Unlike a typical hernia, a sports hernia does not cause a physical bulge in the groin. This might happen over time, but that bulge is not the sports hernia; it is the inguinal hernia that developed. How is a sports hernia diagnosed? After discussing symptoms and physical activity with the patient, he or she might conduct a physical test to diagnose a sports hernia. The doctor might ask the patient do a sit- up or flex the body’s trunk against resis- tance. These tasks will be considerably painful if the patient has a sports hernia. The doctor might order an MRI or X-rays. In addition, the doctor will likely conduct a physical examination to see if there is any tenderness in the groin or above the pubis. What treatments are available for a sports hernia? Sports fans know that sometimes their favorite athletes get treated for a sports hernia and their return for the remainder of the season is questionable. The time- table for returning depends on the treat- ment option chosen and how well the body responds. Treatment options can be broken down into two categories: Nonsurgical and surgical. Nonsurgical treatments include rest, physical therapy aimed at improving strength and flexibility in the abdominal and inner thigh muscles, and anti-inflam- matory medications to reduce pain and swelling. Surgery aims to repair torn tis- sues in the groin. A surgical treatment might involve an open procedure with one long incision or an endoscopic procedure where smaller incisions are made and the surgeon uses a small camera to see inside the abdomen. In some instances, the sur- geon will cut off the inguinal nerve, a pro- cedure known as an inguinal neurectomy, in the groin to reduce the patient’s pain. Once the surgery has been performed, the doctor will recommend a rehabilita- tion plan aimed at increasing strength and endurance. The AAOS notes that most athletes can return to sports within six to 12 weeks. More information about sports hernias is available at www.aaos.org.