Groin Strain

A groin strain is a partial or complete tear of the small fibers of the adductor muscles. The adductors are a group of muscles located on the inner side of the thigh. They start in the groin area and run down the inner thigh to attach to the inner side of the knee.

Groin strain is a common sports-related injury. Treatment depends on the severity of the strain.

• Stretching the adductor muscles beyond the amount of tension they can withstand
• Suddenly putting stress on the adductor muscles when they are not ready for stress
• Overusing the adductor muscles over time
• Receiving a direct blow to the adductor muscles

• Participation in sports that require bursts of speed. This includes track sports like running, hurdles, or long jump. Other sports include basketball, soccer, football, or rugby.
• Previous strain or injury to the area
• Muscle fatigue or weakness
• Tight groin muscles
• Poor conditioning
• Imbalance of musculature
• Abnormality of bone structure

• Pain and tenderness in the groin area
• Stiffness in the groin area
• Weakness of the adductor muscles
• Bruising in the groin area if blood vessels are broken
• Popping or snapping sensation as the muscle tears

• Grade 1—Some stretching with micro-tearing of muscle fibers.
• Grade 2—Partial tearing of muscle fibers.
• Grade 3—Complete tearing of muscle fibers. This may also be called a rupture or avulsion.

• Stretching: Light stretching is helpful, and should not be painful.
• Ice: The use of ice is typically indicated within the first 48-72 hours after injury, and then after vigorous activities.  Ice will help calm the inflammatory response and stimulate blood flow to the area.
• Heat: Before activities, gentle heating can help loosen the muscle. Apply a heat pack to the groin prior to stretching or exercising. As a general rule of thumb, remember to heat before, and ice after.

• Keep the adductor muscles strong to absorb the energy of sudden physical stress
• Learn the proper technique for exercises and sports
• Warm up the muscles slowly and stretch them properly

• American Academy of Family Physicians Family Doctor

http://www.aafp.org

• American Council on Exercise

http://www.acefitness.org

• Health Canada

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php

• Canadian Physiotherapy Association

http://www.physiotherapy.ca

• Muscle strains in the thigh. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00366 . Update August 2007. Accessed April 25, 2013.
• Sports-related groin pain. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what . Updated January 20, 2010. Accessed April 25, 2013.
• O'Kane JW. Anterior hip pain. Am Fam Physician . 1999;60:1687-1696.
• 1/4/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us : Massey T, Derry S, Moore R, McQuay H. Topical NSAIDs for acute pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2010;(6):CD007402.