Sports hernias: a systematic literature review
1Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Louisville, 210 East Gray St., Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|July 8, 2008
Summary
Sports hernias, often seen in male athletes, involve posterior inguinal wall weakening. Surgery appears more effective than conservative care, with laparoscopic approaches offering faster recovery, though more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Rehabilitative Medicine
Background:
- Sports hernias are common in male athletes participating in sports requiring sharp turns and pivots.
- The condition often has an insidious onset, linked to posterior inguinal wall weakening from muscle imbalances and shear forces.
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to subtle symptoms and the need to exclude other conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on sports hernias, covering pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.
- To identify gaps in research and suggest future directions for understanding and managing sports hernias.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article summarizing existing literature.
- Information was gathered on pathogenesis, differential diagnosis, conservative treatment, surgical options, and rehabilitation.
- Diagnostic methods like MRI and ultrasonography were discussed for differential diagnosis.
Main Results:
- There is no current consensus on the precise definition or diagnosis of sports hernias.
- Surgical interventions appear more effective than conservative management.
- Laparoscopic surgery generally leads to quicker recovery compared to open repair.
Conclusions:
- Further well-designed research is essential to understand sports hernia pathogenesis and optimize treatment.
- Improved descriptions of surgical procedures and rehabilitation protocols are needed.
- Future studies should include detailed patient outcome measurements beyond return-to-sport timing.
