Sports Hernia Treatment

physical therapy near White Plains NY

Sports hernias are a strain of the muscle, tendon, or ligament in the lower abdomen or groin area. Sports hernias are relatively common, with about 5% of people getting them yearly. Sports hernias are not hernias at all and are otherwise known as athletic pubalgia. You can also get a sports hernia without playing sports; however, it is most common to get a sports hernia while playing sports. Sports hernias often occur during certain sports such as soccer, lacrosse, wrestling, football, and ice hockey. These high-impact sports involve a lot of movement, including twisting of the pelvis while your feet stay planted, which can cause your groin to tear. You are at higher risk for a sports hernia if you are between the ages of 26 to 28, a male, an athlete, or have weak core muscles as compared to your thigh muscles. Sports hernias can be diagnosed through a physical exam and scans such as an x-ray or MRI. In some extreme cases, a sports hernia can turn into an actual hernia. It is very unlikely that your sports hernia will heal on its own, even with rest, so it is important to see a doctor. An orthopedist and a physical therapist can treat you for a sports hernia. It usually takes anywhere from six to twelve weeks for a sports hernia to fully heal and for you to be able to return to your sport. Treatments for sports hernias can get people back to 100% at their sport about 80% of the time. If you are looking for physical therapy near White Plains NY check out New York Sports Medicine Institute, with five locations throughout New York and New Jersey, all offering expert-level care.

Causes of a Sports Hernia:

  • Repeatedly moving your hips forcefully
  • Vigorous activity
  • Vigorous abdominal and hip exercises
  • Not stretching and conditioning before activity
  • Weak abdominal muscles
  • A difference is the strength of your hip and abdominal muscles

Symptoms of a Sports Hernia:

  • Severe pain when you injure yourself
  • Feeling pain but being unable to pinpoint exactly where it is coming from
  • Groin pain, especially when sneezing or coughing
  • Ongoing blunt pain
  • Ongoing burning sensation in the groin
  • Pain that radiates to your inner thigh 
  • Groin pain that is felt on just one side of the body
  • Pain that subsides when resting but flares up with activity
  • Pain with physical activity, especially twisting, running, or twisting
  • Bruising in the abdominal or upper thigh
  • The abdominal area is tender to the touch

Treatments for a Sports Hernia:

  • You should rest for the first seven to ten days after the injury occurred 
  • You should apply ice for the first seven to ten days after the injury occurred
  • Taking over-the-counter medications and antiinflammatories such as ibuprofen
  • Apply pressure or wear compression clothing on the injured area
  • Getting cortisone Injections
  • Physical Therapy
  • In severe cases, surgery may be needed, which often can be done laparoscopically

Physical Therapy for a Sports Hernia: Physical Therapy Near White Plains NY

Physical therapy for a sports hernia focuses on strengthening the groin, abdominal muscles, and hips and working on flexibility in that area. Typical physical therapy routines for a sports hernia include core exercises, swimming, resistance exercises, stretching, and stability work. Physical therapy will help you heal your sports hernia and also help you learn ways to avoid it happening again in the future. The exercises you learn in physical therapy can help you avoid getting a sports hernia again. Additionally, physical therapists can work with you to help you create a plan on how you’re going to return to your sport.

Physical Therapy Near White Plains NY

If you are looking for physical therapy near White Plains NY check out New York Sports Medicine Institute. With specialties in concussion care and orthopedic sports medicine, New York Sports Medicine Institute is the best place to go to deal with any sports-related injury, including sports hernia. New York Sports Medicine Institute has two locations in New York and three locations in New Jersey, so they are bound to have a location that works for you. If you want top-of-the-line care for your sports hernia, contact us and make an appointment today to get started on your recovery.

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