A hernia occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. Hernias are most common in the abdomen, but they can also appear in the upper thigh, belly button, and groin areas. Most hernias are not immediately life threatening, but they don’t go away on their own and can require surgery to prevent potentially dangerous complications.

Inguinal Hernia - Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia. These hernias occur when the intestines
push through a weak spot or tear in the lower abdominal wall, often in the inguinal canal. The inguinal canal is
found in your groin. In men, it is the area when the spermatic cord passes from the abdomen to the scrotum. This
cord holds up the testicles. In women, the inguinal canal contains a ligament that helps hold the uterus in place.

This type of hernia is more common in men than in women. This is because a man’s testicles descend through the
inguinal canal shortly after birth, and the canal is supposed to close almost completely behind them. Sometimes,
the canal does not close properly and leaves a weakened area prone to hernias.

Haital Hernia - A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm into your chest. The diaphragm is a sheer of muscle that helps you breathe by contracting and drawing air into the lungs. It separates the organs in your abdomen from those in your chest. This type of hernia is most common in patients over 50 years old. Hiatal hernias almost always cause gastroesophageal reflux, which is when the stomach content leak backward into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation

Umbilical Hernia - Umbilical hernias can occur in children and babies under 6 months old. This happens when their intestines bulge through their abdominal wall near their belly button. You may notice a bulge in or near your child’s belly buttons, especially when they’re crying.

An umbilical hernia is the only kind that often goes away on its own, typically by the time the child is 1 year old. If the hernia has not gone away by this point, surgery may be used to correct it.

Nonsurgical options for treating sports hernias include a combination of rest and physical therapy. Following the first seven to ten days after injury, rest and icing are recommended. Physical therapy may begin approximately two weeks following injury to strengthen the abdominal and inner thigh muscles and to improve flexibility. Physical therapy usually lasts about four to six weeks and, in many instances, effectively resolves pain, allowing individuals to return to sports activity.

Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen or cortisone injections, may be prescribed in conjunction with physical therapy to control pain and reduce swelling. When physical therapy is unsuccessful, surgery is usually the next course of action.