Athlete's Mental Health: When the MRI Shows Nothing… But the Pain (and Fear) Is Real

This clip is from our podcast:
Interdisciplinary Case Miles: Episode 04 — Abdominal Wall & Groin Pain in a Male Runner: Sports Hernia or Something Else?

In this moment from the episode, we spotlight an often-overlooked aspect of injury: the mental and emotional toll.

The athlete in this case is a 17-year-old high school track runner who is terrified he might never return to the sport he loves. Despite persistent abdominal and groin pain that limits his stride, his MRI shows nothing. And that’s where the mental spiral begins.

Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards discusses how this kind of diagnostic limbo can deeply affect a young athlete’s identity, especially when running is who they are. Athletes like this often try to regain control through other behaviors sometimes restricting food, over-training, or mentally withdrawing.

That’s why setting expectations early, especially around imaging results is crucial. As we often see in complex cases like this, the answers aren't always in the scan. They're in the story.

Want to hear the full case breakdown?
Download and listen to the full episode of Interdisciplinary Case Miles Ep 04 wherever you get your podcasts.

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Видео Athlete's Mental Health: When the MRI Shows Nothing… But the Pain (and Fear) Is Real канала The Interdisciplinary Case Miles Podcast