Even though sports hernias are common injuries, misunderstandings about them abound. One critical point that should be made clear is they aren’t like other hernias. In fact, experts often consider the term sports hernia a misnomer, because no protrusion or anything else that would be considered an actual hernia occurs.

The formal term for a sports hernia is an athletic pubalgia, but the injuries commonly are referred to as groin pulls. They can be accompanied by a strain of the adductor muscles, which are located in the inner thigh. The strain results in small tears of the muscle and edema, or fluid buildup, in the surrounding tissue.

Unfortunately, sports hernias are frequently misdiagnosed and thought to be hip injuries. They don’t present with a visible deformity, and there is no specific test to detect them.

Sports hernias tend to happen in athletes who engage in repetitive twisting, kicking or turning at high speeds, or they can result from forceful motions. Symptoms of a sports hernia may include weakness and pain in the groin area as well as difficulty with kicking and running. Chronic groin pain can also indicate this type of injury.

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Most sports hernia injuries heal on their own with minimal and noninvasive treatment. Nonsurgical treatment options include physical therapy with muscle re-education, flexibility exercises, and hip and core strengthening.

Though many athletes want to “get back out there” as soon as possible, proper healing of a sports hernia is a four- to six-week process of rest and rehabilitation. Occasionally, surgery may be required. After surgery, recovery takes closer to eight or 10 weeks and includes rehabilitation through physical therapy. The aim is to restore range of motion, flexibility, strength and dynamic movements.

To help prevent a sports hernia injury, focus part of your training and exercise regimen on appropriate flexibility and strength training of the hip, groin and abdominal muscles.