A sports hernia, also referred to as athletic pubalgia or a core muscle injury, is a condition involving injury or tearing of the soft tissue structures in the lower abdominal wall or around the pubic bone. Despite the name, this is not a true hernia — there is no visible bulge — but rather a deep strain or disruption of the musculotendinous attachments where the abdominal and adductor muscles insert. It is most common in athletes and active individuals who engage in explosive, rotational, or cutting movements, such as in soccer, hockey, football, or martial arts.
At the Performance Medicine Institute, we take a biomechanical and performance-centered approach to diagnosing and managing sports hernias. We conduct a thorough examination of the hip, pelvis, abdominal wall, and adductors, often using dynamic ultrasound, MRI, and strength testing. Treatment includes progressive loading, core and adductor coordination, movement retraining, and regenerative injections when indicated. We also offer high-intensity laser therapy to reduce inflammation and promote soft tissue repair.
Conditions and contributing factors we treat include:
Athletic Pubalgia / Rectus-Adductor Aponeurosis Injury
This involves microtearing or shearing at the junction between the lower rectus abdominis and the adductor longus, leading to chronic groin pain with running, cutting, or kicking. We focus on rebalancing core and hip function, strengthening the transversus abdominis-adductor complex, and restoring tissue capacity using precision-guided rehabilitation.
Posterior Inguinal Wall Weakness (Nonpalpable Hernia)
This condition mimics hernia symptoms and may present with deep groin or lower abdominal aching. It is caused by laxity or tearing in the posterior wall of the inguinal canal without any visible bulge. We provide targeted pre- and post-operative therapy to support recovery and reduce reinjury risk.
Concomitant Hip Pathology (FAI, Labral Tear)
In many cases, sports hernias coexist with hip impingement, labral pathology, or femoral torsional abnormalities. We assess the full kinetic chain, identify joint contributions to overload, and create an integrated plan that addresses hip, pelvic, and abdominal mechanics simultaneously.