Is there a doctor in the house? warning, this post is kinda long...and you may feel the urge to call me old or that I'm a pu$$y. ;-) I can take it. Just wondering if anyone else might have had experience with this injury...I'm not quite sure what the problem is exactly, except that I'm extremely frustrated at this point. To start with, I've had a history of right groin problems since I originally pulled it in high school. I re-did it in college and since then I've taken extra, extra care to always stretch my groin. Up until last July '03, I had pretty much only played once-a-week pickup soccer and some indoor. I finally searched out an outdoor league that started in July, and this is where my recent problems began. All together with pick-up, indoor, and outdoor, I basically was playing 3 times a week and wasn't having any problems until October rolled around when it happened during a chilly outdoor league game. All of a sudden I felt that familiar pain in my right groin, but this time something was different. I also felt pain in my lower abdomen, somewhat deep, it felt related with the groin pain. I followed my usual routine of icing my groin for a few days thereafter (and my abdomen too now), trying to stretch it out a little twice a day. All the while assuming it would heal like it had in the past in a few weeks. I took some games off and resumed playing my 2-3 times a week. The groin seemed to get a little better, but my abdomen pain only got worse after each time out, so much so that I couldn't sleep much because I couldn't find a comfortable position with the pain. Eventually the outdoor leage came to an end in November, at which point I was only playing delicately at about 70%. I had no problem running straight, all the pain during play came from quick lateral moves. Mostly I had pain when I was fully extended with my right leg back to try and make a long pass or take a hard shot. I couldn't. I had no power on anything due to the abdomen pain. Sit-ups...out of the question. Obviously, I had a problem that needed looking into so I finally made it in to a doctor in December. I had read about recent groin injuries to MLS players and sports hernias. I thought I might have a sports hernia, but the doctor ruled that out...unfortunately that involved me bending over. (dammit! I thought I'd avoid that until my 40's! And to make matters worse, it didn't answer the question.) He basically told me I'd been playing too much, wasn't giving my groin/abdominal strain a chance to heal, etc...that I needed to take a couple months off. That sounded reasonable, I guess...and the fact that I'd recently turned 30 and I figured this is when I start falling apart...right? Anyways, I took 4 freakin' months off. I made my return to a casual pick-up game last week, stretched real good, and yep...it was like I hadn't taken any time off. Groin was still tender as expected, but the abdomen pain was like it hadn't healed at all. So, here I am a week later, and still very sore. I'm thinking I should demand to see a sports medicine doctor this time, and surgery seems like the next step, as rest did nothing. But this assumes I have an idea what needs operating on, and I don't...just that I have this extreme abdomen pain. The best way to highlite it, I've found, is if I face the corner of a wall, take the inside of my right foot and put pressure on the wall like I'm making a square pass to my left...that really kills! There is something wrong that rest can't fix! Anyone else have this experience???
Go to another doctor. Let me begin by disclaiming that I am not a doctor. I'm a nurse so don't take my opinion as 100% fact. It sounds like you may have an inguinal hernia. Happens pretty commonly. Get a second opinion......The really bad news is you'll have to bend over again! The good news is that the surgery is much easier to deal with than the DRE (digital rectal exam)! For all you youngsters........prepare yourself for this passage into middle age.....I felt like I needed to call the rape crisis center!
I agree with mrcreole. Time to call the Doctor. Sounds like a sports (Inguinal) hernia to me. *I am NOT a doctor either. http://www.physioroom.com/injuries/hip/gilmores_groin_sum.shtml Hernia and groin problems are common in sports, particularly in soccer where the pelvic region is subject to large torsional loads. Two common conditions that affect athletes are an Inguinal (pronounced in-gwin-al) hernia and a Sports hernia (commonly known as 'Gilmore's groin'). Pain in the groin and pelvis can be referred from a number of problems, including injuries to the lumbar spine, the hip joint, the sacro-iliac joint, the abdomen and the genitor-urinary system, so diagnosis of a hernia requires skilful differentiation. The symptoms of Gilmore's groin are characterised by pain during sports movements, particularly twisting and turning. This pain usually radiates to the adductor muscle region and even the testicles, although it is often difficult for the patient to pin-point. Conservative treatment with a Chartered Physiotherapist involves stabilising and strengthening the muscles of the pelvic region but, unless the player rests completely after early diagnosis, this is a stop gap at best. Usually, there comes a time when the player can no longer continue because sports performance becomes so impaired. A surgical approach is usually required.
Thanks for getting me pointed in the right direction, guys! A few referrals and co-pays later , I finally made my way in to see a general surgeon to pinpoint the problem. You were both right. Without any prompting from me (I was testing him), he listened to the history, checked me out, and determined that I have an inguinal hernia (or sports hernia). So, I'm scheduled for some laparoscopic surgery, which seems pretty minor overall, to fix the problem. Nice to have it figured out and get some confirmation! Thanks Again!!!
On a lighter note.....you could just have a majorly big nugget of crap in ya that can't find the exit.
Thanks for letting us know. I'm really glad you didn't settle on the first doctor's diagnosis. I see people ignore this problem far too long. If I were you I wouldn't go back to your old doctor...........he should have been able to catch your injury...........The surgery is a piece of cake.........You'll be back on the pitch in no time......let us know how it turns out.........Mike