Don’t Let a Sports Hernia Sideline You – Get Back in the Game

• A sports hernia, also known medically as athletic pubalgia, is not actually a true hernia at all. Unlike traditional hernias where internal tissue protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal wall, a sports hernia involves a tear or strain in the soft tissue (muscles, tendons, or ligaments) of the lower abdomen or groin area without any visible bulge.

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• The key difference is that traditional hernias (inguinal, femoral, or umbilical) involve an actual defect in the abdominal wall with tissue protruding through it. Sports hernias instead typically affect the attachment of the oblique muscles to the pubic bone, the tendons in the groin area, or the joint where the pelvis meets in front (pubic symphysis).

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• Sports hernias primarily affect athletes who perform repetitive twisting movements or sudden directional changes, particularly in sports like soccer, hockey, and football. They typically cause chronic, activity-related groin pain that improves with rest but returns with activity—a pattern distinct from the persistent discomfort of traditional hernias.

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• Dr. Nguyen specializes in accurately diagnosing and treating sports hernias, distinguishing them from other conditions with similar symptoms to provide you with the most effective treatment approach.

• Recovery follows a structured six-week progression to optimize your return to full activity:
  • Week 1: Rest while allowing gentle movement—walking, stairs, and lifting up to 20 lbs as tolerated. Resume normal daily activities within your comfort limits.
  • Week 2: Begin formal rehabilitation with isometric abdominal exercises focusing on transversalis/oblique muscles and targeted hip work.
  • Week 3: Gradually increase walking duration and exercise intensity. Start Cliniband isokinetic work under guidance.
  • Week 4: Introduce mobility, stability, and cardiovascular exercises. Swimming and cycling are approved; begin progressive running program.
  • Week 5: Focus on muscle re-education with concentric/eccentric functional patterns. Start sport-specific training (cutting movements, directional running).
  • Week 6: Add lower limb strength work and general weights with proper core support. Athletes begin full sport-specific training and return to play based on functional ability.

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• Dr. Nguyen provides personalized guidance throughout your recovery, adjusting your plan based on your specific needs and progress.

• While sports hernia surgery is generally safe with remarkable outcomes, we believe in providing complete information about potential risks. As with any surgical procedure, complications can include infection, bleeding, and reaction to anesthesia, though these occur in less than 1% of cases.

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• Specific to sports hernia repair, some patients may experience temporary numbness around the incision site, which typically resolves within weeks. Rarely, patients might develop chronic pain, adhesions, or experience inadequate repair requiring further intervention. The risk of hernia recurrence is approximately 3-5%.

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• Dr. Nguyen minimizes these risks through meticulous surgical technique and detailed pre-operative planning. Most patients experience no complications and achieve excellent results. During your consultation, we'll discuss your individual risk factors and address any specific concerns you may have about the procedure.

• Patients traveling to California for treatment with Dr. Nguyen typically only need a short three-day stay in the area. Your visit is efficiently structured to maximize your time: on the first day, you'll undergo a comprehensive examination and personalized evaluation with Dr. Nguyen to confirm your diagnosis and finalize your treatment plan. Surgery is then scheduled for the second day, using our advanced minimally-invasive techniques. By the third day, most patients are ready to return home with detailed aftercare instructions. This streamlined process is specifically designed to accommodate out-of-town patients while ensuring you receive the complete care needed for optimal recovery.

• You can safely resume intimate activities as soon as you feel comfortable doing so, typically within a week after surgery. Listen to your body and start gradually, being mindful of your comfort level. Most patients find that limiting sexual activity to once a day during early recovery helps prevent overexertion while healing tissues regain strength. As your recovery progresses and discomfort diminishes, you can gradually return to your normal frequency. If you experience any increase in pain or discomfort during intimate activities, it's advisable to rest for a day or two before trying again.

• Our sports hernia surgical outcomes are consistently excellent, with approximately 90% of athletes successfully returning to their original sport with minimal or no pain. About 5% of patients experience significant improvement but may still have moderate discomfort during intense athletic activities.

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• In the small percentage of cases where patients continue to experience limiting pain, Dr. Nguyen remains committed to your complete recovery. We understand that sports hernias can present complex challenges, which is why we pledge to work persistently with each patient, exploring all available options until we achieve a satisfactory solution for your specific situation. Our goal is always your successful return to the activities you love.