Difficult Diagnoses
Athletes often present with a long history of pain and multiple previous operations. This makes determining the exact source of the pain difficult. I often use trigger point injections to try to localize the pain. For example, assume an athlete presents with pain that is near the origin of the adductor longus tendon. If that tendon is injected with lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and the pain gets better, then that would be strong evidence that the adductor longus is the source of the pain. In a similar manner other structures can be injected such as the ilio inguinal nerve, the genital nerve, the spermatic cord, the symphysis pubis, etc With sequential trigger point injection, the etiology of chronic pain can often be identified then the appropriate treatment can be started.
Physical Therapist & Patient Send Praise
I wanted to thank you again for the wonderful work you did with me 2 years ago. It has been 2 years since my bilateral surgery and I have run 6 marathons! Two weeks ago I ran a 50 mile ultramarathon, my first!! What a wonderful feeling!! I have also participated in 10+ adventure races and have won or placed highly in many of those races. I owe you a debt of gratitude for restoring a passion of mine. My life is better because of how you helped me.
The ability to run is an enormous part of my life and you gave that back to me.
I can never thank you enough for that and I will continue to recommend that others with similar issues speak to you about their conditions.
Full Recovery for SJ Earthquake Player
Scott Sealy, Number 9 with the San Jose Earthquakes, has fully recovered from the repair of his Sports Hernia. Scott reports that he is back to 100% and is able to contribute to the team.
Vietnam Sports Hernia Surgery Success
I went to Vietnam over the Thanksgiving Holiday by invitation of the national coach. I operated on twelve patients. With time and physical therapy I expect they will all have a successful return to sports. Below is a picture of Nghia (national soccer team) just before going to the operating room.
Sports Hernia Repair (Open) Video
This video depicts a 25 year old male hockey player who has suffered pain for 18 months in his left groin. He did not get better with rest or physical therapy. MRI was negative. Physical exam shows tears of external and internal oblique muscles. The images shown are from his surgery.
San Jose Sharks – Hernias Repaired
Jed Ortmeyer, Devin Setoguchi, and Brad Staubitz had sports hernias repaired at the end of the last season. They are doing well and are ready to start the new season.
Second Trip to Vietnam
I just returned from a second trip to Vietnam. Nguyen Van Len is doing well and is ready to play for the National Team. All the other athletes are doing well. I have been invited to return in October. At that time I have been asked to give a lectures on sports hernias for local surgeons and at the Medical School.
Vietnamese Star Athlete Benefits From Sports Hernia Surgery
I was invited to Vietnam in early June by the National Soccer Team to care for their star athlete Nguyen Van Len. He needed surgery but could not get a visa to the United States. The operation was performed on June 10, 2010. He has done very well and is already back in rehab and starting to play soccer.
After surgery, there was a news conference at which all the major Vietnamese television stations were present. The operation itself was televised on the nightly news.
While in Vietnam I also operated on six other Vietnamese athletes, including Nguyen Thi Nu their star 400m sprinter. The local newspaper called me a neurosurgeon (I am a general surgeon); I need to work on my Vietnamese. I have been invited to return to Vietnam in August.
I look forward to caring for more of the Vietnamese athletes. And to share my surgical knowledge.
How to make a diagnosis?
To make the diagnosis of a sports hernia I rely mainly on the history that the patient gives to me and a careful physical examination. Occasionally I order an MRI to help with the diagnosis. In Europe and Australia, ultrasound is used extensively to help make the diagnosis of a sports hernia, but I truly believe that a careful physical exam is the best diagnostic test.