A groin strain usually doesn’t require medical intervention. Symptoms of pain and swelling can be managed with painkillers, and thigh strengthening exercises may help speed up the recovery process. Groin strains may take weeks or months to heal depending on the severity of the injury.
Conservative therapy
Groin strains may be treated symptomatically with the following:
- Anti-inflammatory medicines and painkillers: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can help reduce pain and other symptoms related to inflammation, such as swelling and bruising.
- Ice or cold packs: Ice packs may be applied to the injured area multiple times a day, each compression for 10-20 minutes. This helps with blood clotting and reduces increased temperature at the site of injury, relieving pain and swelling and potentially controlling the extent of the bruising.
- Stabilization: Minimizing mobility helps the muscle heal.
- Bandages: The injured thigh may be tied tightly with bandages. Wearing tight pants can also support the muscles and groin during the healing process.
Exercises
After some time, the muscles should be stretched with physical therapy. This can help improve range of motion, regain muscle strength, and promote faster healing. Without movement, the muscles and tendons may become stiff, increasing the risk of further injury.
Surgery
Surgery may be done in very rare cases where there is a complete tear of the muscles or tendons, which cannot heal with other treatments.
What are the symptoms of groin strain?
Depending on the nature and degree of the injury, symptoms may include:
- Sharp pain and tenderness in the groin or inside of the thigh
- Swelling and bruising in the area
- Muscle weakness or tightness
- Spasms in the inner thigh
- Warmth in the groin or inner thigh region
- Limping or difficulty walking
- Pain with running
- Pain with sudden movement
- Severe pain with slight movement such as bringing the legs together or raising the knee (in severe cases)
The intensity of pain ranges from a dull ache to severe pain, which may worsen with movement.
What causes groin strain?
A groin strain is typically caused by an injury or a tear to the adductor muscles, a group of five muscles that help move the legs. This usually occurs due to overexertion of thigh muscles, forceful overstretching, or sudden change in the direction of muscle movement.
The range of pain, discomfort, swelling, and limitation of movements depend on the extent of the injury (partial or complete injury). Groin strains are categorized into three different degrees based on the extent of the injury:
- First degree: There is minimal injury to the muscles, which causes pain in the area but no loss of muscle strength in the upper thigh. The patient may not experience pain while walking but may experience pain with activities that exert force on the thighs, such as running, stretching, jumping, and kicking.
- Second degree: There may be significant damage to the muscles, pain, and some loss of muscle strength in the upper thigh. The patient may feel pain and difficulty walking and may not be able to bring both thighs together.
- Third degree: The muscle is completely torn, leading to severe pain even with slight movement. There is a severe loss of muscle strength in the upper thigh. Generally, there may be significant swelling and bruising around the injured area, and a gap in the muscle may be felt when touched.
Who is most likely to suffer from groin strain?
Groin strain is most commonly associated with:
- Sports, especially soccer and hockey
- Running
- Jumping
- Weight lifting
- Dancing
- Car accidents
SLIDESHOW
Pictures of the 7 Riskiest Workout Moves, and How to Improve Them See SlideshowMedically Reviewed on 11/3/2021
References
Image Source: Panuwat Dangsungnoen / Getty Images
Temple Health. Groin Pull. https://www.templehealth.org/services/conditions/groin-pull
PeaceHealth. Groin Problems and Injuries. https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/groin
Sportsinjuryclinic.net. Groin Strain. https://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/hip-groin/groin-pain/groin-stra
Temple Health. Groin Pull. https://www.templehealth.org/services/conditions/groin-pull
PeaceHealth. Groin Problems and Injuries. https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/groin
Sportsinjuryclinic.net. Groin Strain. https://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/hip-groin/groin-pain/groin-stra
Complete List
Top How Do You Treat a Groin Strain Related Articles
capsaicin topical
Capsaicin topical is a pain-relieving (analgesic) medication available as over-the-counter (OTC) as topical creams, gels, and liquids used for the temporary relief of minor joint and muscle pains due to muscle strains, sprains, or cramps, bruises, arthritis, and backache. Capsaicin is also used off-label to relieve nerve pain (neuralgia) caused by certain nerve conditions (neuropathies). Common side effects of capsaicin topical include redness, pain, transient increased pain at the application site, raised bumps in the skin (papules), itching (pruritus), nausea, vomiting, swelling (edema), dryness, high blood pressure (hypertension), bronchial inflammation (bronchitis), sinus inflammation (sinusitis), skin odor, skin peeling (exfoliation), headache, dizziness, taste perversion (dysgeusia), and cough.
First Aid Sprains/Strains
View this First Aid slideshow on Care and Pain Relief. See how to get pain relief if you've bumped your head, sprained your ankle, or had a bruise, strain, or some other minor injury.
How Long Does It Take for a Muscle Strain to Heal?
A muscle strain occurs when muscle fibers are overstretched and tear. Learn more about muscle strains, how muscle strains happen, muscle strain symptoms, muscle strain diagnosis, and muscle strain treatment options. Receive information on how a sprain and strain differ.
How Long Does it Take for an Oblique Strain to Heal?
An oblique strain is a specific injury that affects your abdominal muscles. An oblique strain may heal within a few weeks to six weeks.
Is a Muscle Strain the Same as a Muscle Tear?
What is the difference between a muscle strain and a muscle tear?
Should You Stretch a Strained Muscle?
Muscle strain is another term for a pulled muscle. Some experts recommend gentle stretching for muscles that are recovering from a strain.
Sprains and Strains
An injury to a ligament is called a sprain, and an injury to muscle or tendon is called a strain. Sprains and strains may be caused by repetitive movements or a single stressful incident. Symptoms and signs include pain and swelling. Though treatment depends upon the extent and location of the injury, rest, ice, compression, and elevation are key elements of treatment.trolamine salicylate
Trolamine salicylate is a medication used for temporary relief from mild to moderate aches and pains of muscles and joints, associated with conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, lower back pain, muscle sprains and strains, muscle soreness from exercise, cramps, bruises, and tendon or ligament pains. Common side effects of trolamine salicylate include blistering, peeling, redness, irritation, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fast breathing (hyperventilation), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), confusion, and drowsiness. Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding.
What Are the Three Grades of Muscle Strain?
Depending on the severity of damage, muscle strains are classified into three grades. Learn about symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Where Is the Groin Area in Men and Women?
The groin area is located at the same place in men and women—at the junction where the upper body or abdomen meets the thigh. It is an area of the hip and is comprised of five muscles that work together to move your leg.