What Causes a Sports Hernia?

A sports hernia, medically known as athletic pubalgia, involves a tear or weakening of the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the lower abdominal or groin area near the pubic bone. Despite the name, it’s not a true hernia—there’s no visible bulge—but it can cause intense, hernia-like pain, especially during twisting or explosive athletic movements. The injury builds slowly over time, often from repetitive movement or strain, and doesn’t always show up on scans, making it difficult to diagnose.

When physical therapy and rest aren’t enough, surgery offers a proven path to full recovery—especially for active patients.

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Check Your Symptoms: Are You Experiencing Any of the Following?

  • Groin or lower belly pain that won’t go away
  • Pain that worsens with movement, coughing, or exercise
  • No clear injury—but symptoms persist
  • Prior hernia or groin surgery that didn’t help
  • Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the groin or thigh

If any of these sound familiar, you may be a candidate for surgery.

Sports Hernia Treatment: Do you Know Your Surgical Options?

Our team of athletic pubalgia experts routinely travel to Florida to offer the most advanced surgical options for repairing and reinforcing the affected muscle structures.
Surgical Core Muscle Repair
Adductor Release
Tendon Transfer
Bone-Anchored Reinforcement System (BARS)

This outpatient procedure repairs torn or weakened abdominal or adductor muscles, restoring pelvic balance and core stability. We use precise, layered repair methods that directly target the source of dysfunction—offering long-term pain relief and faster return to sport.

In dual-pathology cases, we release contracted or damaged adductor tendons to eliminate strain across the pelvis. This step is essential for restoring full range of motion in high-performance athletes.

 

For patients with chronic or re-injured tissue, tendon transfer surgery reinforces weakened attachments and redistributes load across the core. This helps protect against recurrence and allows for a more complete biomechanical recovery.

We often integrate BARS mesh reinforcement to strengthen the surgical repair. Unlike standard mesh placement, our technique uses strategic bone anchoring to support high-demand movement—ideal for patients looking to return to elite or recreational sport.

Find Out If You’re Eligible for Sports Hernia Surgery in Florida

See How We’re Changing Lives,
One Patient at a Time

How Glen Beat a Double Sports Hernia
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"From the day I had surgery to now - it's a world away."

What Are the Benefits of Sports Hernia Surgery?

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Return to activity—often within 6 to 12 weeks
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Find lasting relief from chronic groin or abdominal pain
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Prevent misdirected treatments by addressing the true source of pain
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Restore strength, mobility, and confidence

Am I a Candidate for Surgery?

If you're still in pain after physical therapy, injections, or rest, it’s time to take a closer look. You may be a candidate for surgical repair if you’ve experienced:

  • Ongoing groin pain unresponsive to PT or injections
  • Difficulty training, sprinting, or returning to sport
  • Prior surgery with continued symptoms
  • Positive imaging or exam findings indicating core muscle injury
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Why Are Sports Hernias Often Misdiagnosed

Why Are Sports Hernias Often Misdiagnosed?

Sports hernias often mimic more common conditions like hip strains, traditional hernias, or even nerve entrapments—making the true cause of pain difficult to identify. As a result, many patients spend months or even years cycling through ineffective treatments without real relief. At The Institute of Florida, we specialize in uncovering core muscle injuries that are frequently missed. Using advanced imaging, targeted physical exams, and expert clinical insight, we bring clarity to complex groin and pelvic pain—so patients can finally move forward with confidence.

Why Are Sports Hernias Often Misdiagnosed

Considering Sports Hernia Surgery? What To Expect:

Precision Diagnostics

We use dynamic ultrasound, high-resolution MRI, and targeted diagnostic injections—alongside expert-guided physical exams—to detect subtle tears, muscle imbalances, and adductor or rectus abdominis involvement. This layered diagnostic approach helps us identify injuries that are frequently overlooked and ensures patients receive treatment tailored to the true source of pain.

Tailored Surgery

Your procedure is designed around your anatomy and activity level. Whether it’s a muscle repair, tendon release, or mesh reinforcement, our surgeons focus on restoring true pelvic stability—not just masking symptoms. Surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure—so you go home the same day.

Rapid Recovery

Most patients begin guided physical therapy within a few days. Light activity resumes quickly, and full recovery is typically reached within 6 to 12 weeks. Our rehab protocols are designed to help you return not just to daily life—but to full performance.

Why Trust The Institute of Florida for Athletic Pubalgia Surgery?

Why Trust The Institute of Florida-2

90% Return-to-Sport Rate After Surgery

Our outcomes speak for themselves. At The Institute of Florida, we don’t just repair the injury—we restore performance. Whether you're a competitive athlete or a dedicated weekend runner, our goal is to get you back to doing what you love, with strength and confidence.

Elite-Level Specialization in Core Muscle Injuries

Sports hernias are frequently overlooked or mismanaged. Our surgeons are among the few nationally who focus exclusively on complex core injuries like athletic pubalgia, combining surgical precision with deep experience treating high-performing athletes.

Surgical Innovation Designed for Athletic Demands

We go beyond standard repairs. From tendon balancing to adductor lengthening and BARS mesh stabilization, our techniques are grounded in the latest biomechanical research—engineered to support explosive movement and long-term performance.

Integrated Care That Mirrors Pro Sports Medicine

From diagnostic ultrasound and dynamic MRI to sports-specific rehab planning, your care is managed by a multidisciplinary team with one goal: returning you to top form. Our Patient Concierge Team coordinates every step, so recovery fits your life—not the other way around.

Meet Florida’s Top
Nerve Surgery Experts

Chris Lakhiani, MD, FACS
Chris Lakhiani, MD, FACS
  • 300 + Pelvic & Peripheral Nerve Reconstructions
  • National Lecturer On Pudendal Neuralgia
Ahmed Nasser, MD
Ahmed Nasser, MD
  • 150+ Occipital Nerve and Diaphragm Procedures
  • Specialist in Complex Nerve Compression Syndromes
Joseph Dayan, MD, MBA
Joseph Dayan, MD, MBA
  • 250+ Flap Transfers
  • Pioneer In Lymphatic Surgery For Breast Cancer Survivors
Tzvi Small, MD, FACS
Tzvi Small, MD, FACS
  • 300+ Core and Pelvic Nerve Procedures
  • National Leader in Sports Hernia and Pudendal Neuralgia Surgery

Still in Pain? Let’s Fix That.

If you’re living with unresolved groin or lower belly pain—or treating a patient who is—our team is here to help. With advanced surgical expertise and proven results, we offer real hope for lasting relief.

Now seeing patients in Ft. Lauderdale and Boynton Beach.

FAQs

Is a sports hernia the same as a traditional hernia?
No. A sports hernia (athletic pubalgia) doesn’t involve a bulging organ. It’s a tear or weakening in muscle or tendon that causes groin pain without a visible lump.
Can women get athletic pubalgia?

Yes. While it’s more common in male athletes, women can experience it—especially with repeated core strain or after abdominal surgeries.

What happens if I don’t treat it?

Without treatment, the condition may worsen over time, leading to chronic pain and limited mobility.

Is surgery always necessary?

No. Many cases improve with rest, therapy, and targeted rehabilitation. Surgery is recommended when conservative measures fail.

Is the surgery safe?

Yes. It’s typically an outpatient procedure with high success rates and a short recovery period.

Will I need a mesh implant?

Some patients benefit from mesh reinforcement, particularly with the BARS technique. Your surgeon will determine if it’s needed.

What sports put me at risk?

Soccer, hockey, CrossFit, track, and any activity involving twisting, kicking, or sprinting can contribute to this condition.

How soon can I get back to training?

With surgical repair, many patients return to light activity in 4–6 weeks and full sport by 12 weeks.