Sports Hernia diagnosed? What is the inguinal canal? Symptoms and causes of a sports hernia? I have strong abdominal muscles, how can I have a sports hernia?  

Sports hernia occurs due to a a weakening of the muscles or tendons of the lower abdominal wall. This is the part of the abdomen is the same area as a inguinal hernia occurs, this known as inguinal canal. When an inguinal hernia occurs there as been a weakening of the abdominal wall to allow a small sack, or pouch, this is the hernia to be felt.  A sports hernia case the problem is a little different, due to a weakening in the same abdominal wall muscles, but there is no sign of a hernia.

What is the inguinal canal?

The inguinal canal is located in the lower abdomen and just above the groin. The formation of the inguinal canal caused by the insertions of abdominal tendon muscles and several ligaments. Within the inguinal canal flows the spermatic cord in males and in females the round ligament. This abdomen wall area is where there are is likely hood of weakening, which may lead to a hernia.

I have strong abdominal muscles how can i have a sports hernia?

The abdominal wall in some people may be thinner than others, with sports hernia is not muscle strength but the abdominal wall is too thin, allowing the hernia to form.

What are the symptoms of a sports hernia?

A sports hernia normally begins with a slow aching pain in the lower abdominal area.

Symptoms include: 

·         Pain in the lower abdomen

·         Pain in the groin

·         Pain in the testicle

Nearly all vigorous activities will exacerbate the symptoms. 

This includes;

Coughing or sneezing. Sports hernias are common in athletes, such as weightlifters, football players. 

How is a sports hernia diagnosed?

The diagnosis of a sports hernia is determined based on the combination of the patient’s history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. X-rays are not used in cases of sports hernia, but the use of MRI tests has become more common in looking for signs of a sports hernia.

Cold laser Therapy/Treatment

The lasers used at Central Chiropractic Clinic are certified as Cold Laser.  For the past 30 years the technology of Cold Laser Therapy (also known as Low Level Laser Therapy) has been formally accepted in North America and in many other parts of the world such as Europe, Russia and Japan.  In all this time there have been no recorded long-term adverse effects from low level laser therapy.  It is considered to be non-invasive, painless and safe.

Cold Laser Therapy uses laser light energy to stimulate cells to function optimally.  In the body, light sensitive chromophores and other elements within the cell absorb energy, initiating a series of important photochemical changes such as increased production of ATP. The mitochondria and Kreb’s Cycle stimulation initiates the production of ATP, providing the cell with the extra energy needed to accelerate the healing process and positively influence pain.  These activities can occur in all types of cells and includes, ligament, nerves, cartilage and muscle.

Low Level Cold Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a Handheld, non-invasive, light-emitting medical device which is used over different areas of the body. It provides an unmatched advantage in the treatment of conditions such as; Hip Pain, Back pain, Slipped disc, Prolapsed disc, herniated disc, Trapped nerves, Sciatica. Sacroiliac Joint inflammation. “Whiplash” (WAD) neck Pain and injuries.

Hip Pain Injuries and Conditions

Sacroiliac Joint inflammation

Athletic and sports Injuries

Lower Back Pain
Knee Ankle Heel and Foot Pain And Conditions
Shoulder injuries and conditions
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Arthritic pain Relief

Muscle Spasm
Relief of Muscle and Joint Pain
Skin infections.

Wound Management including Skin Ulcers, Pressure Sores and Burns
Soft Tissue Injuries including Sprains and Strains, Tendonitis and Haematomas
Joint Disorders including Arthritic Pain Relief and Tenosynovitis
Chronic pain such as Trigeminal Neuralgia and Chronic Neck Shoulder and Back pain.

For further in depth information on Hip Pain sciatica. lower back pain trapped nerves. Please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions”. See also Cold Laser Therapy under “Treatments” for effective pain Relief and healing.

Hip Anatomy

The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The ball is formed by the top of the thigh bone (femur) and is called the “head” of the femur. The socket is formed by the bones of the pelvis and is called the acetabulum.  Ligaments tendons and muscles hold the head of the femur (the ball) in the acetabulum (the socket).

Articular cartilage is a smooth material that covers the head of the femur and the acetabulum. Articular cartilage covers the bony surfaces wherever they come into contact with each other. Articular cartilage allows the head of the femur to move freely inside the acetabulum as the leg moves. Fluid also aids the head of the femur move freely inside the acetabulum. This fluid is called synovial fluid and provides and lubrication to the hip joint.

The hip joint is surrounded by a “sack” called a joint capsule. Ligaments are like strong fibrous rope like structures that help connect bones and provide stability to joints. Ligaments reinforce the capsule and connect the head of the femur to the acetabulum. These ligaments prevent the head of the femur from coming out of the acetabulum. Larger, stronger ligaments also provide stability to the hip joint.

The acetabulum has a ring of tissue called the labrum (this circles the acetabulum) the labrum also helps provide stability to the hip.

Tendons connect muscles to bone. There are various muscles that surround the hip joint. These muscles and their tendons provide stability to the hip joint when the leg is moved. These muscles are also necessary for activities such as running, jumping and walking.

The hamstring muscles (are at the back of the leg) act with the gluteus maximus (the “buttock muscle”) to move the leg backwards at the hip. The hip flexors (iliopsoas and rectus femoris) move the leg forward at the hip. The groin muscles (adductor magnus and longus) move leg toward the midline of the body. The abductor group (gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fascia lata) move the leg away from the body and are also stabilize the hip joint.

A bursa or bursae is a small sac of fluid which limits friction between muscles, tendons and bones. The principle bursa of the hip joint is the bursa of the greater trochanter. This bursa is placed outside of the hip joint. An injury can occur by a direct blow or falling directly onto the outside of the hip, or from overuse.

One of the most common causes of hip pain is the inflammation of the bursa called hip bursitis. A bursa is a fluid filled sac that allows extra protection for the tendons on motion between two uneven surfaces. For example, in the hip, a bursa rests between the bony prominence over the outside of the hip (the greater trochanter) and the firm tendon that passed over this bone. When the tendon has to move over the bone and over the inflamed bursa it will result in pain. Because patients with hip bursitis move this tendon with each step, hip bursitis symptoms can be quite painful. Hip bursitis presents as the pain on the outside of the upper thigh. Management of hip bursitis is often directed on balancing the function of hip, knee and pelvis thus eliminating the cause of the pain as well as local application of the cold laser directed on suppression of inflammation and accelerating healing of the soft tissues.

Hip pain and sports injuries for further in-depth information please go to top left corner under “pain” or “Conditions” and “Treatments” for Cold laser therapy. 

Tags: "Hip Pain