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Abdominal Muscle Strains, Sports Medicine

Brittney M. Richardson, MD, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Injury to the abdominal wall musculature, including the rectus abdominis, internal/external obliques, and transverse abdominis muscles: 
  • Typically a noncontact injury but may be cause...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Acute abdominal wall pain associated with stretching or twisting mechanism

  • Chronic pain due to repetitive activity of the trunk or torso

  • Direct trauma associated with a minority of thes...

TREATMENT

Acute treatment: 
  • Remove the athlete from the offending activity.

  • Ice

  • Compressive wrap

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen PRN only

  • Once pain subsides, a rehabilitation...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • The athlete may return to activity once pain subsides and he or she can engage in sport-specific activity.

  • Side strain–type injury has been reported to take up to ...

REFERENCES

1
Johnson R. Abdominal wall injuries: rectus abdominis strains, oblique strains, rectus sheath hematoma. Curr Sports Med Rep.  2006;5(2):99–103.
2
Nealon AR, Cook JL. Trunk side strain ha...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Athletes can return to play when there is minimal-to-no tenderness, normal muscle strength and stamina, and can perform sport-specific tasks.

  • Usual duration of symptoms varies from week...

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