Taking part in sports or exercises that involve bursts of speed, such as some types of running, is a risk factor for a groin pull or strain. Others are cold weather, fatigue, overexertion and tight muscles, according to Laurie LaRusso, MS, ELS, on the NYU Langone Medical Center website. Dr. Andrew Parker, team physician for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League told ESPN that treatment is typically conservative. It usually includes rest and application of ice packs. After the pain has subsided, stretching and strength training are added. But, Parker says, "time is what cures groin pulls more than anything."
The Damage
Runners can experience groin pulls but not as frequently as some other athletes. Parker says that people who participate in sports involving a lot of weight shifts, side-to-side cutting or other quick movements are at greater risk of this type of muscle strain. A groin pull is the result of a partial tear in the fibers that make up one or more of the three adductor muscles. These muscles extend from the groin area down the inner thigh to their point of attachment on the inside of the knee.
Classification of Groin Pulls
Groin pulls, like other muscle strains, can be assigned a grade based on the severity of the injury. Parker believes grading systems are "a little overrated" because it is difficult to determine the true degree of damage without examining an injured muscle directly with surgery. Nevertheless, the following system provides a guideline for estimating how long a pull may take to heal. Grade 1 involves microtearing of muscle fibers and may take two weeks to recover. Partial tearing of fibers is classified as Grade 2 and requires one to two months for recovery. A complete tear or rupture of groin muscle fibers, Grade 3, can take three months to heal. An MRI scan can help a physician evaluate a very severe groin pull and allow a more accurate estimate of your recovery time.
Early Treatment
Treatment will depend on the severity of the injury, but it typically consists of rest and different methods for decreasing inflammation and pain. The NYU Langone Medical Center recommends rest until the pain subsides, the application of cold packs four times a day for 15 to 20 minutes at a time for several days, medication to relieve pain as recommended by your doctor, compression provided by a not-too-tight elastic bandage wrapped around your upper thigh, and elevation for a day after the injury to keep swelling down.
Continuing Treatment
When your doctor has cleared you to resume activity, apply heat to the injured site before you stretch or before exercising. Stretch slowly and carefully according to your doctor's instructions several times a day. The next step is to strengthen your adductor muscles, following the advice of a trainer or physician. S.J. Nicholas and T.F. Tyler, authors of the May 2002 "Sports Medicine" article titled Adductor Muscle Strains in Sport, say that the key to successful rehabilitation is "an active training program, along with completely restoring the strength of the adductor muscle group." They add that surgery may be necessary if the above treatments fail to help after six or more months.
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