Athletic pubalgia is a debilitating health issue which affects the groin. The injury commonly happens through sports that use sudden changes of direction or intense twisting motions. Also referred to as a sports hernia, athletic pubalgia is characterized as a tear or strain in any soft tissue (muscle, tendon, ligament) of the abdominal or lower abdomen region.
Physiology of Athletic Pubalgia
The soft tissues most often affected by athletic pubalgia are the oblique muscles found in the lower abdomen, especially in the tendons that attach the oblique muscles to the pubic bone. In many instances, the joints that connect the thigh muscles to the pubic bone, known as the adductor muscles, are also stretched or torn as a result of athletic pubalgia.Physical activities which involve planting the feet and twisting with maximum exertion can cause athletic pubalgia. A sports hernia is most prevalent in vigorous sports, such as hockey, soccer, wrestling, and football. Athletic pubalgia causes pain and discomfort in the groin region which typically gets better with rest but comes back with physical activity.
A sports hernia does not result in a visible bulge in the groin, such as the well-known inguinal hernia does. As time passes, athletic pubalgia can lead to an inguinal hernia, and abdominal organs can push against the diminished cells to form a visible bulge. Without treatment, this sports injury could lead to chronic, disabling pain and other symptoms.
Healthcare Professional Diagnosis
During the first consultation, a doctor will discuss the individual's symptoms and how the injury happened. To diagnose athletic pubalgia, the healthcare professional will look for tenderness in the groin or above the pubis. Although a sports hernia may be related to an inguinal hernia, the doctor may not find any hernias during a physical examination.Furthermore, to help determine the presence of athletic pubalgia, the healthcare professional will probably ask the patient to perform a sit-up or to bend the trunk against resistance. If you have a sports hernia, these tests will be painful. The doctor may also require x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help determine whether you have athletic pubalgia. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Acute Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
