Groin pain while playing sport can be a frustrating experience, let alone a painful one. And, if it doesn’t improve with rest or keeps recurring during activity, this type of pain may be linked to a sports-related hernia. This is a condition that affects the muscles and supporting structures around the pelvis and lower abdomen.
Join us as we explore how consultants diagnose sports-related hernias, the treatment options that may be recommended, and when it may be helpful to seek specialist advice.
A sports-related hernia is a soft tissue injury in the groin/lower abdomen. It is usually caused by repetitive or explosive movements and can lead to pain without a visible bulge.
Treatment for a sports hernia often starts with rest and physiotherapy, with surgery considered if symptoms persist.
What is a sports-related hernia?
A sports-related hernia affects the soft tissues of the lower abdomen and groin, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments that help stabilise the pelvis during movement. These structures play an important role in supporting the body during physical activity. When they become damaged or overused, pain and instability in the groin area can develop.
You may also hear this condition referred to as any of the following:
sports hernia
sportsman’s hernia
hernia athletic pubalgia.
Traditional hernias occur when tissue pushes through a weakness in the abdominal wall, often creating a visible bulge. Sports-related hernias usually involve strain or tearing of soft tissues rather than tissue pushing through the abdominal wall.
These injuries are often linked to sports or activities that involve powerful or repetitive movements, such as:
sudden twisting movements – e.g. football, ballet, skiing
sprinting or rapid acceleration
kicking or rotational movements – e.g. football, rugby, gymnastics
frequent changes in direction – e.g. ballet, football.
Because symptoms can overlap, specialist assessment is often needed to confirm the cause of groin pain.
Common symptoms and who is affected
A sportsman’s hernia usually causes pain in the groin or lower abdomen that worsens during physical activity.
Symptoms may appear gradually and often deteriorate over time if the injury is left untreated.
Typical pain patterns
The most common symptom by far is groin pain. This is typically reported when participating in sport. Pain may feel:
sharp during sudden movements
like a dull ache in the lower abdomen
worse when sprinting or twisting
uncomfortable when coughing or sneezing.
Symptoms during sport vs daily activity
At first, symptoms may only occur during exercise.
As the condition progresses, however, chronic groin pain may start affecting everyday activities. These include:
walking long distances
standing for extended periods
getting in and out of a car
climbing the stairs.
If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms for a few weeks, it’s a good idea to seek medical advice.
Athletes and sports most commonly affected
Sports-related hernias are most common in activities where sudden, explosive movements or frequent changes in direction are performed.
These sports include:
football
rugby
tennis
running
ice hockey
skiing.
However, while athletes are susceptible to sports-related hernia, it can also affect amateur enthusiasts.
How consultants diagnose sports-related hernias
Diagnosing a sports-related hernia can be challenging as many conditions can cause similar, overlapping symptoms.
A consultant sports hernia specialist will usually look to combine clinical assessment, medical history, and imaging tests in order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
Clinical examination and medical history
In order to reach a diagnosis, you’ll typically need to start with a consultation. This will likely involve a physical examination.
Your consultant will ask about:
your symptoms
when the pain began
which movements trigger discomfort
your general health and activity levels.
They may also test muscle strength and movement in the abdomen, hips, and groin.
Imaging and scans – what they show and what they don’t
Your consultant may recommend MRI or ultrasound scans through our diagnostic imaging services to help identify soft tissue injury.
Common scans you may need include:
MRI scans to detect soft tissue injury
Ultrasound scans to check the integrity of muscles and tendons
CT scans – these are rarely used.
However, scans do not always clearly identify a sports hernia. Consultants therefore combine imaging with clinical assessment to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
Ruling out other causes of groin pain
Consultants must also rule out other possible causes of groin pain. These can include:
hip joint conditions
muscle strain
stress fractures
traditional groin hernias
other groin injuries.
Non-surgical treatments consultants may recommend first
Many patients are relieved to hear that there are non-surgical options to try before surgery may be recommended.
While these may not always be suitable, these treatments aim to reduce inflammation, strengthen the abdominal wall, and allow injured tissues to heal.
Rest, activity modification, and pain management
Early, non-surgical treatment often includes:
temporary rest from aggravating activities
modifying training intensity
ice therapy
short-term anti-inflammatory medication.
These approaches can help with relieving pain while the injury settles.
Specialist physiotherapy and rehabilitation
Physiotherapy for sports hernia injuries is a key part of recovery. Specialist rehabilitation may be delivered through structured physiotherapy sessions designed to strengthen the abdominal wall and improve pelvic stability.
Rehabilitation programmes may focus on:
core strengthening
pelvic stability
improving flexibility
a gradual return to sport.
For many patients, physiotherapy significantly improves symptoms.
Injection-based treatments and their role
Some patients may even benefit from injection-based treatments that are typically used alongside physiotherapy rather than instead of. These may include:
local anaesthetic injections
corticosteroid injections
anti-inflammatory treatments.
Hear from a hernia specialist:
“Persistent groin pain should never be ignored, particularly in people who are physically active. Early assessment by your GP is important to identify the cause and ensure you’re referred for the right treatment before the problem worsens.”
Mr Richard Dickson-Lowe, Medical Director, Medical Director at Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, Gillingham
How sports-related hernias are treated at Practice Plus Group
At Practice Plus Group, consultants use a staged, evidence-based approach to treat sports-related hernias.
The goal is to relieve pain, restore movement, and help patients safely return to their normal activities.
Consultant-led assessment and diagnosis
Patients begin with a detailed consultation with a sports hernia specialist.
This may include reviewing symptoms, performing a physical examination, and arranging imaging if needed.
Personalised non-surgical treatment plans
Where possible, consultants prioritise non-surgical treatment for sports hernia.
These may include physiotherapy programmes, activity modification, and pain management strategies.
When surgery is recommended
If symptoms continue despite conservative treatment, sports hernia surgery may be considered. Surgery aims to repair weakened tissues and stabilise the abdominal wall.
If surgery is required, your consultant will explain the available hernia treatment options and recommend the most appropriate approach for your specific condition.
Recovery, rehabilitation, and ongoing support
Following treatment, patients usually follow a structured rehabilitation programme.
This helps restore strength, mobility, and confidence when returning to the sports you enjoy.
Sports hernia recovery timeline
Hernia recovery varies from patient-to-patient depending on the severity of the injury and whether surgery is required.
Weeks 1-2: early recovery
rest from strenuous activity
gentle walking
pain management.
Weeks 3-4: gentle rehabilitation
light strengthening exercises
stretching the hip and groin
gradual increase in daily activity.
Weeks 4-6: increasing strength
core stability training
balance exercises
low-impact activity.
Weeks 6-12: return to sport
Many athletes find they can return to sport within 6–12 weeks, depending on recovery and the kind of treatment they had.
Your consultant or physiotherapist will guide your return to activity.
When to see a consultant for a suspected sports hernia
If groin pain continues to affect your training or daily activities, you may wish to book a private consultation with a specialist to discuss diagnosis and treatment options.
Persistent or worsening groin pain
You may want to consider when to see a hernia specialist if pain:
persists for a few weeks or more
recurs during activity
worsens despite rest.
Pain limiting training or competition
If pain prevents you from training or performing normally, specialist assessment may help identify the cause.
When self-management is no longer enough
If physiotherapy or rest does not improve symptoms, a consultant can help determine whether further treatment may be needed.
If you’re still looking for information, perhaps our dedicated FAQs can help.
What is a sport-related hernia?
A soft tissue injury affecting muscles or tendons in the groin or lower abdomen.
Can sports hernias heal without surgery?
Yes. Many patients recover with physiotherapy and activity modification.
How long does recovery take after surgery?
Many patients return to sport within 6–12 weeks.
Is a sports hernia a real hernia?
No. It is a soft tissue injury rather than tissue pushing through the abdominal wall.
Can physiotherapy fix a sports hernia?
Physiotherapy can significantly improve symptoms by strengthening supporting muscles.
Acknowledgements
Mr Dickson-Lowe is a highly experienced consultant general and colorectal surgeon and clinical lead for general and colorectal surgery, working both in the NHS and privately with Practice Plus Group. He is dedicated to providing safe, effective, and personalised care for every patient. Mr Dickson-Lowe offers minimally invasive procedures such as keyhole gall bladder surgery, hernia repair, treatment of lumps and bumps, pilonidal disease, and coloproctology procedures including haemorrhoids, fistula-in-ano, and anal fissures.
This article was co-written by Content Specialist, James Wood. Our Content Specialist, James, has been writing articles and blogs for Practice Plus Group since 2022. He has more than a decade of experience as a copywriter within a range of different backgrounds and works closely with medical professionals to deliver information that's easy-to-read and patient-focused. When he's not writing medical pieces, James is busy playing sports or pub quizzing.
