i have been away for a long time. i had to take care of some other business with lyme disease, which went misdiagnosed for 8 months, thanks to an infectious disease clown of a doctor in kingston, ny. the bite, rash, and symptoms simply were not enough for him to warrant treatment. therefore, i had to put my healing from the sports hernia syndrome on hold for over a year!!!!!!
i will tell you, a case of lyme (mine was pretty bad) is worse than a sports hernia. a sports hernia, although painful and all-consuming, doesn't really threaten your life. but, i have been there, guys and gals, and i know how bad it can suck!
so, back to the physical injury.
i am convinced, and i have run this by some sports hernia and hip specialists, that hip fai and sports hernias can go hand in hand.
during my battle with lyme, i did get a diagnosis of bilateral hip fai. symptoms do in fact mimic sports hernias. in my case, i have bilat fai with cam style impingement, and both cam and pincer on the other hip. both sides have labral tears. it is very rare that there is fai without labral tears, and vice-versa. in my case i also have pieces of the acetabular rim (socket) broken off and floating around in the sockets. and i have arthritis starting, due to the extended time frame of not getting diagnosed.
i have big bumps/cysts on my femoral heads.
so i am heading to surgery this fall. probably both hips at once, for resurfacing. i am only 38, and want to get back into sports.
the good news is that yes, the sports hernia surgeries i had with dr muschaweck were successful. i have had my groins scanned by her machines even recently and all is in tact. good to go. just the hips need to be tended to.
my main words of advice---
do not stay local for doc visits because if convenience, if you are still in pain. that is plain stupid. go out of plan if you have to, but GO SEE A SPECIALIST IN A MAJOR CITY, ONE THAT SEES MANY, MANY PRO ATHLETES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
just because a doc went to hopkins, doesn't mean a flying crap to me; it doesn't mean that he or she is right. sports hernias and fai do exist. it just takes an EXPERIENCED doctor to find it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
35 comments:
I'm in Baltimore what surgeon did you see at Hopkins? I've had genitofemoral and ilioinguinal pain for 1.4 years and I need someone to seriously look at me for this sports hernia (i've proposed it multiple times and it's been dismissed because of nothing palpable) What's your recommendation!
i didn''t see anyone at hopkins.
two things i can recommend for those nerve pains, though...
1) neural therapy injections. go to neuraltherapy.com and find a practitioner in your area, usually an osteopath.
2) cold laster/low level laser therapy. this can help to possibly eliminate the pain, so i have heard.
i am sorry you still have the pain.
also, perhaps it is due to those nerves being entrapped in scar tissue?? someone who is a very, very experienced visceral manipulation practitioner might be able to tear that up. if he/she is also a certified rolfer, then i say go for that, too.
best wishes
I've been doing some research around the internet trying to figure out what I have and i came across this blog. i'm 18 and i play football and baseball. all baseball season i was bothered by what i thot was a strained hip flexor. i took some time off after the season and just now started training again for football, and it is back. im starting to think its a sports hernia (because now i know what that is) because i cant tell if its my hip flexor or something in the abdominal area. it hurts most when i sprint at top speed. it also hurts to do sit ups and when i cough. actually it hurts when i walk too.
what i think caused it: on 2 or 3 occasions i have what i thought "strained" my hip flexor from doing box jumps. jumping on to a fairly high box, i failed and missed the box, i guess expecting to land on the box and instead falling could have caused something to happen. the one i think did the most damage was when i made it high enuf with my left foot but not my right and fell. it would bother me for a couple weeks then go away. but now its back and i dont know what it is or what to do about it.
so i ask:
do you think i have a sports hernia?
what should i do about it?
is there a professional doctor you know in the kansas city area?
i would appreciate a quick response, because football season is right around the corner!
hi ben
if i were you-
i would email dr ulrike muschaweck at info@hernien.de
she will be visiting the colorado in july. yes, it's a distance from where you are but it is TOTALLY worth booking an appointment with her and either flying or driving to see her for the exam. she will have a special ultrasound machine with her from germany that will show her if you have a sports hernia or not. she is the best in the world and your only real other option is in philly and possibly one in los angeles.
her surgery costs less by far than the others, unless your insurance covers them.
she is the best surgeon by a landslide for this injury.
i would email her right away.
best of luck
Hi-
I am a triathlete, and I and my physical therapist think I may have a sports hernia, though no tears appeared in the recent MRI I had done of my pelvis. I have been diagnosed with a labral tear in my hip, but my actual pain extends from my pubic bone up to the midsection of my abdominals. Also, abdominal exercises seriously aggravate the area, even when the hip area is isolated. My doctor thinks I am having referred pain from my hip injury, though my physical therapists say this doesn't make sense.
I am thinking of seeing Meyers in Philly. I live in NYC, so do you think it is worth it? Are there any dr.s working on sport's hernias in NYC? No one seems to know anything!!! My Dr. has washed his hands of me and only recommends Meyers.
You mentioned the connection between labral tears and sports hernia like symptoms. Does it make sense that the MRI of my pelvis showed nothing?
Any information would help!!!
hey trigirl
go see dr bryan kelly at hss in nyc, asap. he'll know the deal.
he will probably refer you to see meyers as well.
my thoughts are, if kelly sees hip issues, then see what needs to be done with that via hss.
if meyers finds a sports hernia, then go see dr muschaweck in munich for your sports hernia surgeries.
good luck!
Thanks-
I was also referred to Kelly for my hip, and am planning to see him. He is unlikely to take my insurance, but oh well!
Best
meyers can dx the sports hernia, but isnurance will not cover it and it would run maybe 150 for the exam but a lot (!) more for the mri he requires to be done there at his facility.
if i were you- i'd email dr muschaweck and book an appt with her in denver when she visits there in july. to pay for a flight and cheap motel is less than the visit with meyers. and her consult is free. plus, she is the best there is, hands down.
if you get dx'd with a sports hernia, i'd have her do the surgery. no doubt about that.
cheers
john
oh, and kelly's visit is like 350 for the xray then i think 275 for the consult.
Thanks again for the advice. I am in the process of making an appointment with Dr. Kelly. Fortunately, I've already had the Xrays and MRIs done. I was quoted $300-400 for the consultation. I've researched the matter further, and I think the problem may have to do with the psoas muscle and its relation to the labral tear. If that does not start to make sense soon, i may follow your advice and fly to Colorado or drive (since I'll be in TX in July). In any case, do you happen to know the names of any more reputable hip people in NYC?
sure the psoas can go into spasm if the hips are thrown off kilt due to hip issues...but also will go into spasm with a sports hernia.
i would DEFINITELY go see dr muschaweck.
kelly is the best hip guy in nyc, dr douglas pagett at hss is good too but going to kelly would be enough..
best wishes
Hi,
I found your blog and read your post: I had FAI w/ cam impingement, arthroscopic surgery of my right hip was done by Dr.Byrd in Nashville TN 10/29/09 and may pain has progressed since then and my local OS thinks I could have a sports hernia!!!
I was excited to read FAI, labral tears and sports hernia can be related.
I am in constant pain and will be seeing Dr.Meyers soon, I hope all goes well.
My pain is in the groin and also I have lateral hip pain which does not make sense unless it is compensatory pain.
Can other people please share their stories of what their symptoms are?
Thank you!
Hi there-
In response to the last comment. I met with another Dr., Andrew Rosen (I could not get an appt. with Brian Kelly until September 2 but am checking for cancellations) who has advised me not to have hip arthoscopy for a moderate labral tear because it will not help my pain. The actual source of my pain is still in question. He could not give me a "dogmatic diagnosis" but suggested acute tendonitis related to the abdominals. However the pain is still strongest at McBurney's point, which is associated with the psoas muscle. In any case, I am trying to find a more conclusive answer. I am meeting with another doctor, Alexis Colvin, tomorrow. The doctor I saw today also referred me to a physical rehab specialist who does medical acupuncture. In any case, he said it did not sound like i had a sports hernia.
I would love to hear what Dr. Meyers has to say about your problem.
Hi there-
In response to the last comment. I met with another Dr., Andrew Rosen (I could not get an appt. with Brian Kelly until September 2 but am checking for cancellations) who has advised me not to have hip arthoscopy for a moderate labral tear because it will not help my pain. The actual source of my pain is still in question. He could not give me a "dogmatic diagnosis" but suggested acute tendonitis related to the abdominals. However the pain is still strongest at McBurney's point, which is associated with the psoas muscle. In any case, I am trying to find a more conclusive answer. I am meeting with another doctor, Alexis Colvin, tomorrow. The doctor I saw today also referred me to a physical rehab specialist who does medical acupuncture. In any case, he said it did not sound like i had a sports hernia.
I would love to hear what Dr. Meyers has to say about your problem.
Hi Trigirl,
I just had an MRI of my lumbar spine today and will find out the results soon. I had a small labral tear w/ FAI and wish I never had my hip scope done as my resting pain was mild compared to what I am dealing with now.
I am interested in acupuncture for pain relief as I am tiring of taking NSAIDS regularly and "icing the hip" routine.
I will post what Dr.Meyers has to say about this hip issue. I hope I don't have to wait 2 moths for an appointment, we shall see...
Please let me know how the acupuncture treatment goes.
Thanks.
Yes, well, I've now had two doctors tell me it would be foolish to have the surgery, so on one level, I'm relieved about that, but no one knows where the pain is coming from! I will be sure to post any further news regarding acupuncture and the physical rehab specialist I'm seeing.
i am seeing dr edwin su in nyc in july regarding both my fai ridden hips...
btw, i have had lots of medical acupuncture for trigger points incl mcburney's...yes it helps but i must admit it hurt like hell to get! totally worth it, though.
i don't want arthroscopy, either.
i am seeing meyers in august to have him look at any possible problems with the soft tissue around the groin, just in case. but i think it is all good, and according to muschaweck, my groin is solid.
hips- not.
best of luck to everyone!
Funny-Both Dr.'s I've seen laughed when I mentioned McBurney's Point! This is related to Psoas Pain, but they suggested the psoas was too deep to feel pain in this way. Why doesn't anyone seem to know about this? I'm still trying to get the appt with Dr. Kelly, The Dr. I am seeing for med acupuncture is also a spine specialist, Rachel Bergeen. Perhaps a spine person will know more about psoas issues.
It astounds me that the Sports Hernia is not covered by insurance - I'm supposed to see Dr. Meyers in August and I would love to hear any feedback - how many people have had this surgery and felt it resolved their pain?
Wow, I am very pleased to find your blog and looking forward to reading all of your entries. Thank you. I went through the same experiences. Twelve years ago went to several doctors who couldn't even find the inguinal hernia. Ten years ago, my bilateral hernia was repaired using a laparo./mesh patch but since then I have experienced chronic groin pain. Returned to my primary care MD and this week I am meeting with another surgeon to see what can be done.
Hi-
I left comments sometime back and just wanted to update on my situation. I saw Dr. Kelly at HSS for my labral tear but we determined that the pain was coming from my abdominals. He referred my to Dr. Meyers, who used his MRI procedure. I have a pretty long tear coming from the insertion point of the rectus abdominis up to my navel. In any case, I am scheduled for surgery mid-november. Since I am in New York, it just seems a lot easier for me to take the train to Philly than to fly to Germany. I actually found Dr. Meyers quite thorough, caring, and patient. I definitely recommend seeing him if you have this kind of pain. If you have to pay out of pocket, he will generally charge you less for the appointment....and the hospital itself works with insurance.
Also, I would like to hear back from angelrunnr about the visit with Dr. Meyers. Also, I did try acupuncture, which did ease much of my pain, but it always comes back after much exercise.
After reading through this entire blog and visiting other sites referenced in it I went to see a prominent surgeon about my re-injured groin(had laporo. mesh surgery about ten years ago). A physical exam revealed nothing as well as a full abdominal/pelvic CT scan. The surgeon was well informed about sports hernias. In my case, he said more harm could be done if he operated to fix nerve pain. I was told to to find a PT who could help me stretch and strengthen the groin area. As usual, he could not refer me to any PTs in my area. I actually contacted a few sports medicine practices but was told by their PT staff that they had mixed results treating people with my condition. My opinion is once you sustain a sports hernia you will never recover to 100%.
If you have a sports hernia (or groin pain in general) and can get to the UK please see David Lloyd...
http://www.lloydrelease.com/david-lloyd/
He is very good.
DO NOT visit Jerry Gilmore.... he is about 20 years behind regarding technology and knowledge.
Take this from someone who's been there and done that and an expert on the subject.
I'm a 34 year old male from Alaska. in 2002, I injured my groin rock climbing. I used to be a professional mountain guide on Mt. McKinley as well...but my career ended after the injury. I have not been able to climb since I was 27 years old.
My injury has taken me to Louisiana, where I had a hernia repair in 2005, and more recently, to Dr. Meyers in Jan. 2009, who referred me to Dr. Byrd in Nashville, where I had a hip scope this last May (which turned up nothing)...
My injury has gotten to the point where I consider it a disability. I am currently on bedrest and can't walk without extreme pain.
I'm convinced that I have a chronic injury to my psoas muscle. I think I have a ton of scar tissue that is causing pain, and also some nerve stuff happening. Alot of time I have pain all the way thru my abdomen and into my back, and all the way down my leg.
I also had a cortisone injection into my iliopsoas bursa which may or may not have helped...I can't tell.
Does anyone have any suggestions. This injury runs my life, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to live with.
Evan!
I feel for you. I was diagnosed with a labral tear by Meyers also but I had a hip ortho inject my hip to see if it stopped the pain I have - which it didn't. Although labral tears are a hip pathology that can cause pain it may not be the source of the pain you are suffering from. If you've taken as significant fall and your pain is groin, hip, medial thigh, gluteal, lower back - you should consider having your sacro-iliac joint examined. If you can find a pain person to give you an injection it could help to identify if that is the cause
evan
i am sorry to hear of your pains and history. it sounds a lot like a hernia yet it also sounds a lot like hip fai.
is it possible that the regular hernia surgery is causing pain?
have you had a rolfer or http://www.iahp.com/pages/search/index.php#result
maybe someone here can help (vm/neuromanip)
How helpful is a pelvic MRI to rule in or out a sports hernia? I have had adductor pain and lower ab pain on and off for 4 months. I am an avid runner. I have had a x-ray, bone scan and CT - all negative. Also had rounds of PT. The pain seems to return when I run longer distances of 10 miles or so. With shorter runs and I am OK. Certain excersices seem to illicit the lower ab pain such as walking lunges, and somtimes coughing or sneezing.
Also, my internist recommended a Dr. Cattey if I needed to pursue the
sports hernia. Any thoughts on him?
it sounds like a sports hernia
i would also get checked for hip fai as the symptoms intermingle. that wouldn't mean you need surgery for both if you had both.
i have heard mixed reviews with cattey's patients.
dr william c meyers in philly is by far the best in the usa, and there is also a dr brown in california somewhere that is supposedly good and experienced. cattey uses mesh and screws. the others do not.
meyers has a special mri as well, for sports hernias. no one else has this mri machine.
best of luck!
First, Dr. Muschaweck - while others seem to have had success with her, I have found quite a few people that DON'T seem to do well after her surgery, including me! It has taken me literally months, nearly a whole year to track down people that have not been fully active or recovered after her "sportsman's groin" surgery, which she calls the Minimal Repair Technique. The common problem that I've found is her lack of extensive follow-up. When you report to her that something is 'not right', you get told to take more anti-inflammatories or more vitamins or go get some massage therapy. But when these don't work and you contact her again, she becomes defensive and says that nothing went wrong during the surgery and that nothing can harm or undo her surgical work. Several guys I spoke to reported that they flew back to Munich and she did nothing but use her ultrasound scanning machine on them again and then she sent them to various "specialists" throughout Munich - all where left footing the bill for expensive visits that did nothing for them. When you suggest to her about a second exploratory surgery, she doesn't want to hear it and basically says no - doesn't matter if you are still in pain. And yes, I was examined by three orthopedic hip specialists, one before and two after surgery (including new scans during each new visit), nothing wrong with my hips. She also tries to blame it on the adductors, but when she doesn't even operate on those I see no reason for her to try and invoke that as an excuse, except for nothing more than a deterrent to keep you at bay. She will also employ the 'bad nerves' excuse. One guy went to a neurologist and it was discovered that he had some serious nerve damage following her surgery. Getting her to assume proper responsibility for aftercare, especially if you are from the States, is a losing battle. She clearly views the Atlantic as a nice buffer to not have to deal with you as she assumes you won't want to return to Germany just to have her look at you - quite an expensive doctor visit, if you ask me. So now, I am left with trying to find a good 'sports hernia' doc in the USA to do a possible second surgery on me. During my months of research, I even ran across numerous articles about pro-athletes that went to her, they weren't doing well, she ignored them too and they ended up going to a US surgeon for second surgeries. This does not speak well for Dr. Muschaweck. In hindsight, I would have chosen a US surgeon, probably Dr. Brown in California. His surgery is a cross between Muschaweck's and Meyers' and he uses no mesh. Please, choose carefully when selecting a surgeon. If you want to do the Germany route, have lots of extra money in the bank in case you have to go back to Munich for her to send you to her cadre of specialists. As for her special ultrasound machine, it is not special at all. You need to have a dynamic ultrasound with cine loop done by an experienced radiologist that knows what he is looking for. I had this test done at a US hospital in the states and the radiologist that scanned me was easily able to see the problem - deficiency of the posterior inguinal wall. There is actually a video on YouTube that shows what the scan should look like if you have a sportsman's groin deficiency. The YouTube video even has a link to a site that teaches you how to scan for it. So, don't think she has this special machine, she doesn't.
(continued from my previous post)
Second, Dr. Meyers. I don't have the desire to get started on him. Go to www.ratemds.com. He has not gotten glowing reviews. Also, his so called 'special MRI machine' is not special at all. He uses very specific protocols, in other words, very specific settings on the MRI machine to tell the magnetic waves how to penetrate your body in a very specific fashion. These protocols are readily available on the internet. You can print them out and take them to any scanning center and hospital and they can set the MRI scanner to scan in that fashion. Again, the secret is not the machine, but finding a qualified radiologist that knows how to read these images properly. Meyers uses Adam Zoga. I got a radiologist that was a whiz at reading sports injury scans.
Again, choose wisely when selecting who will do your surgery. Make sure the doctor has superb follow-through when it comes to post-surgical care. The last thing you want is a doc that tells you that there is nothing wrong when you are walking around with pain a year after the surgery.
I have found a company www.nulifemedical.com that has hernia belts that helped me. Now I just put on my belt, and go to practice. It really does work!
Tri-girl-can you tell me how this all worked out? I am fighting the same thing.
I received an inquiry via email. Dr. Meyers performed my surgery in 2010. Since then, I've had no pain...and also two babies! He also charged me only half of his initially stated fee. I payed the first installment and after that they told me I owed nothing more. My hospital insurance payed the hospital bill. I'd recommend him despite any bad reviews.
Hi unknown--My reply to you comment actually came up with my real name, but I am tri girl! Yes, I advise you not to mess around like I did, seeing countless Dr's who knew nothing about this. If you are close enough, I would go straight to Dr. Meyers and see what he thinks. I took the train from NYC to Philly.
Post a Comment