5 Things You Need to Know About Groin Strain

1. A Common Muscle Strain

The groin is made up of five adductor muscles that pull our thighs together and help with hip movement and stabilization. A groin strain or pull is a muscle tear or rupture of one of the adductor muscles, most commonly the one that runs from the pelvis to the inner thigh, known as the adductor longus muscle. This occurs when the muscle is stretched beyond its limits, either during a physical activity like sports or weightlifting, or an accident such as slipping.

2. Weekend Warriors, Beware

Overuse of a muscle not used every day can lead to a strain. Since a groin strain is common among athletes, particularly football players, those who participate in a sport only on occasion should take great care to warm up and stretch before playing. Running can also cause a groin strain, as these muscles are relied on to keep the hips stable when we run. Not lifting a heavy object with the correct form can also strain the muscles of the groin. Direct, forceful contact with the inner thigh, such as during contact sports, can also cause this type of injury.

3. Not a Quiet Injury

Groin strains do not sneak up on you. Most of the time, depending on the severity, a person will know they have the injury as soon as it happens. Groin strains can be graded as follows: a grade I strain is mild and produces discomfort, a grade II is of moderate discomfort and will cause some physical limitations, particularly running and jumping, and a grade III strain is extremely painful, with swelling, bruising and the inability to walk. A sudden sharp pain in the groin at the moment of injury is indicative of a likely groin strain.

4. Pain Probably Means Strain

In some cases, mild to moderate pain and slight physical limitations may mean only a bruising or overstretching of the muscle fibers in the groin, but severe pain and a sharp decrease in physical abilities should be brought to the attention of a doctor. He or she will confirm a muscle strain and advise as to a course of rehabilitation, which will include physical therapy. This therapy will stress stretches of the adductor muscles, hips and hamstrings. Surgery might be required if the tear is severe, or if the pain is related to a hernia rather than a muscle strain.

5. Be Kind to Your Groin

There are ways you can prevent groin strains. The most important is to stretch the adductor muscles before any physical activity. You can do this by lying on your back, bending your knees with your feet flat on the floor, and spreading your knees until you feel a stretch in your inner thighs. Stretching to make the hamstrings, hip flexors and lower back muscles loose and more flexible can also prevent groin strains. Strengthening will help with stabilization and less of a tendency to overstretch or overuse these muscles.