A pulled groin muscle occurs when the groin muscles are overstretched or torn during an injury or overuse. This type of injury is common among athletes, especially those who participate in activities that require intermittent bursts of speed, such as soccer or basketball, according to Aurora Health Care. People who experience symptoms of a pulled groin muscle should seek care from a doctor as soon as possible to prevent additional medical complications.
Pain or Tenderness
Upon injury, people can experience acute sensations of pain or tenderness near the groin. Groin discomfort can extend from the top of the thigh down into the inner thigh region. Groin or inner thigh pain can increase in severity when a person attempts to lift the knee or pull the legs in toward each other. Standing or placing weight on the injured leg can also exacerbate groin pain or tenderness. These symptoms of a pulled groin muscle typically persist until the injured muscle fully heals.
Stiffness, Weakness and Restricted Movement
Muscle damage can result in severe groin inflammation, which can cause the affected muscle to feel unusually tight or stiff, the Society for Tennis Medicine and Science reports. Groin stiffness can affect a person's normal flexibility and may limit his normal movement of the injured leg. A pulled groin muscle may also result in a reduction of groin muscle strength, leading to symptoms of weakness within the affected leg, Aurora Health Care explains. Sensations of weakness can make it difficult for a person with this type of injury to pull the legs together normally.
Bruising
A pulled groin muscle can result in bruising of the skin due to blood vessel damage sustained during injury, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports. When the blood vessels are damaged, they leak small amounts of blood that pool beneath the upper layer of the skin. Bruising can cause the injured skin region to appear unusually red or purple in color. People may not notice bruising until several days after sustaining a pulled groin muscle. Bruising is temporary and progressively subsides as the injured blood vessels heal.
Sensations of Snapping or Popping
Sensations of snapping or popping can arise during a pulled groin muscle injury. These unusual sensations or sounds occur when the muscle fibers of the groin muscle tear apart. Typically, snapping or popping sensations are associated with sudden or intense groin pain.
