Groin Strain

 
What is it?

A groin strain is one of the most common footballing injuries and is prevalent in sports that involve sudden changes in direction. The strain itself relates damage to to the hip adductor muscles that are situated along the inside of the thigh. Commonly injured adductor muscles are adductor longus and pectineus . A strain or tear involves a disruption to the continuum of the muscle or tendon fibres due to excessive traumatic forces such as when the leg is forceably abducted (taken out to the side). Depending on the severity of the strain this usually presents as acute, local tenderness at the top of the thigh where the muscles taper into the pubic bone. A degree of swelling, bruising are also common as well as pain on walking, abduction movements and resisted adduction (bringing the upper leg in towards the body).

Causes

Groin strains usually occur as acute sudden onset events although recurrent problems or chronic symptoms can result in persistent pain when performing turning type movements. These ongoing or recurrent symptoms may be as a consequence of training errors, persistent weakness or poor rehabilitation following the initial injury. Commonly, poor pelvic stability can lead to excessive load on these muscle groups leading to an increased likelihood of injury. Other conditions can often masquerade as groin strains as the groin is a common place for referred pain especially from the hip joint, sacro-iliac joint and upper lumbar areas.

Treatment

Following a thorough examination and assessment of the presenting problem, advice and treatment may include the following:
 

• Initial management to follow the RICE principles.

• Rest – from aggravating activities

• Ice – to reduce swelling and pain

• Compression – to reduce swelling and offer support

• Elevation – to aid swelling reduction

• Electrotherapy to reduce pain and swelling

• Early gentle stretching and pain free active exercises

• Progression through the groin strain rehabilitation programme as determined by the severity of the injury. Emphasis on core stability, good pelvic stability and return to specific sporting training are important factors in preventing recurrence of the condition.