It is condition that causes pain in inguinal area. Inguinal area is located in lower abdomen near pubic area where abdominal muscle, aponeurosis, touches pubic bone. Aponeurosis can be damaged or torn when you make a sudden turn while running and damaged or torn aponeurosis will cause lingering pain.

• In a typical case, you would feel pain during athletic activity. However, pain would be worse after the activity. You would usually feel the pain when you cough, raise up your upper body, or press down in your lower abdominal area.

• Sports hernia can be diagnosed through complete physical examination. Tests such as Sonogram, CT, or MRI can detect other sicknesses. These tests, however, would not be able to detect sports hernia.

The only treatment for sports hernia is surgery. Physical therapy can relieve some pain but has higher degree of recurrence.

When should I have an operation?

Physical therapy can relieve the some pain, but when you resume athletic activity, pain will come back again. So when you are diagnosed with sports hernia, you should have a surgery as soon as possible. Longer you postpone the surgery, more damage will occur to the surrounding muscle and ligament, which can lead to extended damages.

A. Preparation for Surgery
• Surgery is done as an out-patient basis – no hospitalization is needed.
• Surgery is possible on the day when you come into the hospital.
• Of course, it is always much better if you make appointment in advance.
• Surgery is done with only local anesthesia.
• Surgery can start right after simple pre-testing, such as blood test and sonogram.
• Fasting is not required.

B. Operation
• Local anesthesia only.
• Only the surgical area would be uncovered.
• The procedure takes about 30 minutes.

• When local anesthetic is administered you may feel a little pain. But after the surgery you will have no pain.
• Most patients move about after the surgery.
• On the day of surgery, you may have a little pain; but only in rare cases you would need injection of pain reliever.
• The day after the surgery, you may have a little pain pulling on your muscle when you walk. This, however, is normal.

• The success rate of sports hernia surgery can be expressed in terms of recovery rate in your athletic ability. If your athletic ability after the surgery is improved compared to before the surgery, then it would be considered success.
• Typical recovery rate ranges from 60% – 97% improvement when compared to before the surgery.

	PWith National Health Insurance	Without National Health Insurance
One Side	260,000 won (about US $ 430)	US $ 1,350
Both Side	360,000 won (about US $ 700)	US $ 2,100

When you get a surgery in our hospital, the cost will be much lower than that in the States even if air travel cost is included. So come and get it. You'll be greatly benefitted.

Please call us at 822-570-1234 to make an appointment between 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Or you may make an appointment online. Visit us at www.GIBBEUMhospital.com

Come and see what we can do for you for your health.