title: Inguinal hernias: value of preparticipation examination, activity restriction decisions, and timing of surgery.
abstract: Though groin pain is common, the differential diagnosis is broad, and narrowing down the diagnosis of an inguinal hernia can be challenging. Once a hernia is diagnosed, play becomes limited based on severity of symptoms and physician and patient comfort, and the athlete should be closely monitored for worsening symptoms. Several surgical approaches are available for the repair of inguinal hernias, but without knowing the true natural history of this disorder, it is difficult to know when it is appropriate to have a hernia repaired.
authors.affiliation: Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME 04101, USA.
authors.forename: Lucien R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Ouellette
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Dexter
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D013519:Urogenital Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation