Sports Hernia

Sports Hernias – CORE MUSCLE INJURY

A sports hernia — also known as a core muscle injury or athletic pubalgia — is a tear or strain of the soft tissues in the lower abdomen or groin. These injuries commonly affect athletes who sprint, cut, rotate, or rapidly change direction.

At Andrews Sports Medicine, our team provides comprehensive, athlete-focused care for sports hernias, from advanced diagnostic imaging to individualized treatment plans.

Dr. Benton A. Emblom, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon, has extensive experience evaluating and surgically repairing core muscle injuries, helping competitive athletes and active adults return to peak performance.

What is A SPORTS HERNIA (CORE MUSCLE INJURY)?

A sports hernia is a soft-tissue injury, not a traditional abdominal hernia with a visible bulge. It involves weakening or tearing of the tissues where the:

• Abdominal muscles
• Adductor (inner thigh) muscles
• Hip flexors
• Pelvic tendons

All converge. Sports hernias most often occur in athletes who participate in football, soccer, hockey, baseball, lacrosse, tennis, track, and other sports requiring explosive cutting or rotational movement.

COMMON SYMPTOMS

Athletes may experience:

• Sharp or burning groin pain
• Pain with sprinting, cutting, twisting, or sit-ups
• Pain that improves with rest but returns with activity
• Discomfort radiating toward the testicle or inner thigh
• Hip or core weakness during explosive movements
• Difficulty returning to sport after a “groin strain”

If groin pain persists more than 4–6 weeks, a core muscle injury should be considered.

causes of sports hernias

Sports hernias often result from:

• Sudden twisting or rotational movements
• Rapid acceleration and deceleration
• Repetitive high-intensity training
• Overuse or muscle imbalance in the hips and core
• Direct trauma to the pelvis or groin

how are sports hernia diagnosed?

Accurate diagnosis requires expertise in hip, groin, and core anatomy. A sports hernia evaluation at Andrews Sports Medicine may include:

• Hands-on physical examination
• Adductor and core strength testing
• Diagnostic ultrasound
• MRI to assess the rectus abdominis–adductor aponeurotic plate and surrounding structures
• Evaluation for associated hip conditions

non-surgical treatment options

Many patients benefit from a structured, non-surgical plan such as:

• Rest and activity modification
• Targeted physical therapy
• Core and hip stabilization programs
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Ultrasound-guided injections (when appropriate)

These strategies may reduce symptoms, especially in mild or early cases.

sports hernia surgery (Core Muscle Repair)

When pain persists despite conservative care, core muscle repair surgery may be recommended.

At Andrews Sports Medicine, Dr. Benton A. Emblom performs mini-open sports hernia repair, which is designed to:

• Reinforce and reattach the rectus abdominis
• Address adductor involvement
• Restore core stability and pelvic balance
• Support a safe and efficient return to sport

Dr. Emblom has significant experience treating competitive athletes—ranging from high school and collegiate players to elite professional athletes — who require precise repair and performance-driven rehabilitation.

sports hernia recovery & return to play

Recovery timelines vary depending on the severity of injury and the physical demands of the sport.

Typical milestones:

• Light activity: 2–4 weeks
• Running progression: 6–8 weeks
• Full return to sport: 8–12 weeks
• High-level athletes: often 10–16 weeks

return-to-play outcomes

Published outcomes from Andrews Sports Medicine demonstrate excellent results for athletes undergoing core muscle repair:

• 93–96% return to sport
• Athletes report hip function near 98% of normal
• Most competitive athletes return in 10–16 weeks
• Low complication rates

These outcomes compare favorably with national benchmarks for sports hernia surgery.

why choose andrews sports medicine for sports hernia care?

Athletes from across Alabama, the Southeast and United States choose Andrews for:

• Expertise in complex hip, groin, and core injuries
• Fellowship-trained sports medicine evaluation
• Advanced imaging and diagnostic precision
• High-volume surgical experience with Dr. Emblom
• Proven return-to-play outcomes
• Athlete-centered rehabilitation and follow-up care

Whether you’re a competitive athlete or an active adult, our team provides the expertise needed for safe and successful recovery.

BENTON A. EMblOM, MD

Orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in hip preservation and core muscle injuries (sports hernias), with extensive experience treating competitive athletes.

Dr. Emblom serves as a head team orthopeadic physician for Auburn University, the University of Alabama, Hoover High School, and a number of other local high schools.

If you feel you have a sports hernia, or another orthopaedic condition, and would like to request an appointment with Dr. Emblom, call (205) 939-3699 and ask to speak with Dr. Emblom's appointment scheduler.

To request an appointment with Dr. Emblom, CLICK HERE to submit an online appointment request, or contact Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center at (205) 939-3699 and ask to speak with Dr. Emblom's appointment scheduler.