Pulled Groin or Hernia

People who experience pain in the lower abdominal and groin area, often wonder if the cause is a pulled groin or hernia. Both these conditions are closely related to each other, and afflict the same region of the human body, thus confusing many people. Without proper examination and investigation from a doctor it is hard to tell the real cause of the pain and the condition, but it is easier to recognize a hernia due to the presence of a visible lump.

Both these injuries are commonly felt by athletes and individuals who undertake strenuous physical activity. The groin pain can be so severe in some cases that it restricts movement entirely, and disables the afflicted person for a period of time. Recovering from both these conditions requires complete bed rest along with the application of certain external solutions. A hernia injury may additionally require surgery as well.

Pulled Groin Injury

This is an injury that occurs when the groin muscles or the adductor muscles get strained excessively, as a result of some form of physical activity. When these muscles get stretched too far and suddenly, it results in inflammation and discomfort in that area. People who are suffering from a pulled groin ligament will find it very hard to walk around, let alone carry out strenuous physical activities.

There are three grades of a groin strain, with Grade III being the highest and most painful injury. The debate between a pulled groin or hernia will be solved when a doctor observes the exact area where the swelling is occurring, and what the groin pain symptoms are. People with a pulled groin will find it difficult to walk and run, but people with a hernia will find it difficult to bend down and lift objects as well.

The groin pull treatment will involve complete rest from all activities, and stopping all tasks that cause the pain to increase. Applying an ice pack and some heat treatment on the condition will also be helpful. There is no surgery that can solve this problem, and the healing process will have to be permitted to take a natural course. The individual will slowly be able to perform some exercises and stretches designed for him/her, and this will increase the pulled groin recovery rate.

Hernia Injury

Groin pain and hernia often go hand in hand, because of the region that is affected by the hernia. A hernia is a condition where the intestines of an individual start protruding through the abdominal walls, due to an inherent weakness in these walls along with the causes of hernia. This causes a visible lump to appear as a protrusion, and this makes the area very sensitive and painful to touch.

There are many different hernia types that are caused by different factors. The most commonly seen form of hernia is the sports hernia that affects an athlete while playing. The movement and the intensity of the sport forces the intestines to dig through the weak abdominal wall, and this will result in immediate and intense pain. The athlete will be unable to walk as soon as the pain appears, and the clearest of all sports hernia symptoms is that the pain worsens when the individual coughs, sneezes or yawns.

The issue of pulled groin or hernia is one that plagues these individuals because a hernia takes far longer to recover from. Moreover, the condition will require hernia repair surgery in order to fix it permanently. During the surgery, a doctor will push the intestines back into place, and repair the area from where the protrusions were seen. This may not be a permanent solution though, as this same area can be breached again, or a neighboring region can also be weakened. A person recovering from a hernia surgery will require complete bed rest for a few weeks before he can resume physical movement again.

If you compare pulled groin vs hernia, you will find that a hernia is a far worse condition to find oneself with. This is much more painful, much more crippling and requires a longer time to recover from. Though athletes and sportsmen are the most commonly afflicted people, nobody is immune from these conditions.

A doctor will help you determine whether the pain is being caused by pulled groin or hernia, but you will have a clue beforehand if you observe the afflicted region. Remember to heed the advice of the doctor, so that you enjoy a speedy recovery, with minimum risk of a relapse.