Groin Strain

For sportsmen and athletes, injuries are a part of the complete professional package. Strains and pulls are experienced by them in almost all the parts of the body where they can happen! A pull or strain of the groin is one such very common injury. Now the groin comprises six muscles and it is called the adductor muscle group. These muscles run from the inner pelvis to the inner part of the thigh bone. These muscles aid in pulling the legs together in addition to helping with other movements of the hip joint. These muscles are crucial for any athlete or sports person, but they are especially important for swimmers, soccer players, sprinters, football players and all the sports in which the legs and lower body play a major role. Let's take a look at it.

Groin Strain Symptoms
When the adductor muscles are strained or pulled, it is referred to as muscle strain. Strain happens when a muscle is stretched beyond its capacity. Normally these strains are minor tears of muscle fibers in the groin with the bulk remaining intact. The symptoms of a pulled groin -

• A distinct pain and tenderness is felt in the groin.
• There is pain when you bring your legs together.
• Groin pain, in case of knee being raised.
• Severe pain, preceding a popping or snapping feeling at the time of injury.

There are some other conditions like sports hernia or early signs of arthritis which also have overlapping symptoms, though they are rare.

Types of Groin Strain
As observed in most muscle strains and pulls, there are 3 grades of this strain in the groin, depending on the severity of the injury.

Grade 1
This is a very minor injury and as said earlier, it is just a slight tear of the muscle. Although it may cause a little discomfort, the person is able to carry out normal activities. Thus, there is no disability.

Grade 2
Here in this kind of strain, there is a little more discomfort than in a grade 1 strain. The ability to indulge in activities like jumping and running might be hampered and limited. In the first case there is no manifestation of the groin strain. But if it is a grade 2 strain, there can be some swelling and bruising as well.

Grade 3
Things can get quite problematic and serious if it is a grade 3 strain. Muscle pain while walking, muscle spasm, considerable bruising and swelling is experienced by a person suffering from this type of groin strain.

Groin Strain Treatment
The severity of the injury determines the course of treatment. Generally the first thing that needs to be done is resting the muscles. The thumb rule says that if you have a pull in your groin, avoid doing activities which would not exacerbate your injury. But giving the muscle more rest than it is needed on the other hand will increase the recovery time. The other treatments for groin strain are -

Heat and Cold Compress
Applying ice to the injured area in the first 48 hours after the injury will minimize the chances of swelling and will enhance the blood flow in that area. Likewise a heat pack before any activity or exercise will aid in loosening the muscle. Heat pack should be applied before any activity and ice should be applied after the exercise or activity. This is one of the basic aspects of groin pull treatment.

Physical Therapy
This includes a variety of measures to speed up the recovery. Ultrasound, therapeutic massage and light groin strain rehabilitation exercises are useful.

Anti-inflammatory Medication
For subsiding or preventing the inflammation, oral anti-inflammatory medications are useful. They also provide relief from pain. A groin pull, further can be tried and prevented by groin stretching and strengthening exercises, pelvic stabilization exercises and core stability exercises, which will include abdominal and lumbar strengthening. These exercises and a good overall daily stretching routine will save you from a groin strain! Take Care!