Groin Strain

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is a groin strain? " пїЅ A groin strain happens when one of the muscles in the inner thigh gets stretched too much or too quickly, or works too hard. This sometimes makes the muscle tear. Another term for a groin strain is a "pulled groin. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

A groin strain can happen while exercising, such as from suddenly changing direction, or during an accident. The muscles involved in a groin strain are called the adductor muscles. The adductor muscles connect the pelvis to the thigh bone, and pull the legs toward each other. пїЅ пїЅ

A groin strain is the most common cause of groin pain, especially in active adults. It can be mild or severe. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of a groin strain? " пїЅ Some people feel a pull in their groin when the strain happens. Other symptoms can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Pain
Muscle spasm or tightness
Swelling
Bruising
Leg weakness, or having trouble walking or moving the legs

Will I need tests? " пїЅ Probably not. Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have a groin strain by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam. пїЅ пїЅ

But some people do need tests. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor or nurse might order an imaging test such as an ultrasound or MRI scan. Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body. пїЅ пїЅ

How is a groin strain treated? " пїЅ A groin strain usually gets better on its own, but it can take weeks to heal completely. пїЅ пїЅ

To help with your symptoms, you can: пїЅ пїЅ

Rest your groin muscles and avoid movements or activities that cause pain
Ice the area " пїЅ You can put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the painful area every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin. Use the ice (or other cold object) for at least 6 hours after the injury. Some people find it helpful to ice up to 2 days after an injury.
Wrap your upper thigh with an elastic bandage or other type of wrap, or wear compression shorts " пїЅ These things can help support your muscles.
Raise the muscle above the level of your heart (if possible) " пїЅ For example, if you lie down, you can put a pillow under your groin or thigh. This is helpful only for the first few days after an injury.
Take medicine to reduce the pain and swelling " пїЅ If you have a lot of pain or a severe groin strain, your doctor will prescribe a strong pain medicine. If your strain is not severe, you can take an over-the-counter medicine such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

After your pain gets better, your doctor or nurse will recommend that you gently stretch and exercise your groin muscles. Stretches and exercises can help strengthen your muscles and keep them from getting too stiff. пїЅ пїЅ

Your doctor or nurse will show you which stretches and exercises to do. Or he or she will have you work with a physical therapist (exercise expert). пїЅ пїЅ

Its important to let your groin muscle heal before you play sports or do other activities that use the muscle again. If you don't let your muscle heal, you are likely to injure it again. пїЅ пїЅ

Can a groin strain be prevented? " пїЅ You can help prevent a groin strain by warming up your muscles before you exercise. You can do this by walking or doing another light activity. You can also prevent injuries by doing exercises to strengthen the muscles in your legs and in the center of your body, and make these muscles more flexible. пїЅ пїЅ

If you are not sure how to do these things, a physical therapist or other exercise professional can help you. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83725 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Groin Strain

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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