Conservative Treatments for a Sports Hernia

The R.I.C.E. Treatment Philosophy

This philosophy is used to decrease inflammation and relieve pain for a chronic or acute sports hernia within the first 48 hours of a flare-up.

• Rest and limit your activity. Use crutches or walking supports to help alleviate pressure if required.

• Ice your groin and abdominal area 2-3 times/day for approximately 15 - 20 minutes at a time to help reduce blood flow and fluid build up. Gel packs are a better option than frozen peas if possible, as they mold to your body shape and are reusable (do not apply ice/gel packs directly on your skin, instead wrap cold compress in a wrap or cloth). Utilizing 2 gel packs with a wrap will allow you to cover your entire groin, pelvic and thigh area at one time.
• Compress the area if possible by adding light pressure to minimize swelling (make sure the compress is snug, but not too tight as it could cause numbness, tingling or more pain). Neoprene groin strain braces that wrap around your groin, hip flexor and adductor muscles are very useful.
• Elevate your leg above chest level to relieve the pressure from swelling and allow fluid to drain from your injured area. Gentle massage around the groin and pelvis area will also help to prevent stiffness.

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound is a great therapeutic option to decrease inflammation, pain and soft tissue (muscle, tendon, ligament, nerve and connective tissue) damage experienced with inner thigh (adductor) and hip flexor pain that may be associated with a sports hernia. This can be received using a portable, home ultrasound device (self-administered) or by seeing a physiotherapist. The treatment is easy, painless, safe, and generally requires between 5 - 10 minutes, 3 times a day. It is based on a form of deep tissue therapy, which is generated through high frequency sound waves (that we can not hear). These waves send vibrations deep into your body and raise the temperature of your soft tissue. The waves are delivered through a hand held transducer and medicinal conductive gel that are used together in a slow, circular motion on your skin over the injured area. You may experience a slight tingling or warm sensation during the process partly due to phonophoresis - a secondary enhancing, therapeutic effect of ultrasound. Do not use ultrasound over the genital areas and please seek the approval of your physician before using ultrasound!

Ultrasound therapy increases collagen and tissue elasticity, which in turn promotes blood flow (circulation) and brings oxygen and nutrients to your injured area. This cleans your tissue by getting rid of cell waste products and helps your injury to heal. If not treated properly injured tissue can heal with a weakened state, which can lead to scar tissue or calcification. If used on an ongoing basis, ultrasound will help to increase your range of motion by breaking down any scar tissue that may form in your upper thigh muscles and hip flexors. Ultrasound waves penetrate deep into your tissues, repair and relax your muscles and other tissues, decrease chronic inflammation and pain, and accelerate your recovery rate, so you can return to your daily activities as soon as possible.