Inner thigh pain while running most likely results from a groin strain. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP, groin injuries make up two to five percent of sports injuries. A groin strain is caused by tearing or complete rupture of the adductor muscles. The adductors are located on the inside of the thigh and connect the pelvis to the femur, or thigh bone.
Symptoms
Most people experience sudden pain or a popping sensation in the thigh during exercise. Afterward, the person may experience pain, localized tenderness to touch, swelling, bruising and pain during activity. Strains are graded from one to three depending on the severity. Grade I tears cause minimal stretching of tendons and muscle fibers, whereas grade III tears involve a complete rupture of the muscle fibers.
Causes
Overuse, sudden movements or changing of direction, improper warmup, inadequate stretching, trauma caused by direct force to the thigh, poor conditioning and muscle imbalance can all cause tears in the muscle fibers.
Treatment
If a person experiences sudden pain during exercise, the activity should be terminated immediately. Anyone with a suspected grade III strain should seek the advice of a professional immediately. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, or NSAIDS, such as Motrin, Aleve, or Advil, may be recommended by your physician to decrease inflammation and relieve pain. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends the RICE protocol for muscle strains. R stands for rest. The activity that caused the strain should be ceased to allow the muscle fibers to heal. I stands for ice. Apply ice for 20-minute intervals, every three to four hours for 24 to 48 hours after the injury. C stands for compression. Wrap the injured body part with a compression bandage. E stands for elevation. The injured body part should be elevated above your heart to minimize swelling.
Preventing Muscle Strains
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends these tips to prevent muscle strains: do daily stretching exercises, warm up properly before activity, work out regularly to condition the muscles and build strength, wear athletic shoes that fit properly and eat a well-balanced diet to provide nourishment to the muscles.
Recovery
Recovery times vary according to the severity of the tear. In general, it is safe to return to activity when no significant pain is experienced during running. Grade I tears typically resolve in about a week, grade II in two to three weeks, and grade III in six to eight weeks or perhaps longer.
Groin Stretch
Sit down on the ground. Make sure to maintain good posture and keep your back straight. Next bend your legs by putting the soles of your feet together. Try to pull your feet as close to your groin as possible. At the same time allow your knees to drop down toward the ground. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat three times. The stretch is intensified by bringing your feet closer to your body. This stretch should be done every day as well as before running to help prevent groin strains.
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