Views from the Shore
Before I interviewed Dr. Matthew J. Finnegan, a robotic general and colorectal surgeon with Shore Physicians Group, I thought about the times I had dealt with groin pain myself. Like many people, it usually followed a trip to the gym, a soccer game, or some other physical activity. I always assumed it was a pulled muscle that just needed a few days of rest.
Dr. Finnegan told me that while muscle strains are certainly a common cause of groin pain, persistent or worsening pain can sometimes signal a more serious condition. Knowing what to watch for can help you seek treatment before a relatively minor problem becomes a major one.
One of the most common causes of groin pain is an inguinal hernia. This happens when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Some people notice a small lump near the belt line or a dull ache that comes and goes, especially when lifting, coughing, exercising, or standing for long periods.
What surprised me most was learning how many people simply live with these symptoms.
Dr. Finnegan told me he often sees patients who have ignored a small lump because it wasn’t painful enough to worry about. Then they decide to get back into the gym, lose weight, help someone move furniture, or simply become more active. Suddenly, that area that barely bothered them before becomes painful.
That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a hernia.
One of the most interesting things I learned during our conversation was the difference between a true hernia and what’s commonly called a sports hernia. Despite the name, a sports hernia isn’t actually a hernia at all. Instead, it’s a tear of the muscle or tendon in the groin, often involving the large adductor muscles that athletes rely on for cutting, sprinting, and changing direction.
That distinction matters because the treatments are completely different.
A sports hernia often responds well to physical therapy and rehabilitation. A true inguinal hernia, on the other hand, is a weakness in the abdominal wall that generally requires surgery because the opening will not repair itself.
Dr. Finnegan also pointed out that not every lump in the groin is a hernia. Swollen lymph nodes, cysts, skin infections, and benign fatty growths called lipomas can all appear in the same area. That’s why he recommends having any lump evaluated if it continues to grow, persists for several weeks, or causes pain. While he recommends prompt evaluation for lumps around the size of a golf ball, he emphasized that even smaller lumps shouldn’t be ignored if they concern you.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from our conversation was what can happen when a true hernia is left untreated. In some cases, part of the intestine can become trapped inside the hernia. What might have been a relatively straightforward repair can become a much more complicated operation requiring emergency surgery.
The lesson I took away from my conversation with Dr. Finnegan is simple: don’t automatically assume groin pain is just a pulled muscle. If the pain doesn’t improve, keeps returning, or is accompanied by a lump, nausea, fever, changes in bowel habits, or increasing discomfort, it’s worth getting checked out. Most causes of groin pain are treatable, and sometimes seeking care sooner rather than later can make all the difference.
To schedule an appointment with Matthew J. Finnegan, MD, Robotic General & Colorectal Surgeon with Shore Physicians Group, call 609-365-6239. Dr. Finnegan treats patients age 18 and older at 649 Shore Road, Somers Point.
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center and Shore Physicians Group. He also volunteers on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association and the Somers Point Economic Advisory Commission. Brian is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University.
