Fitness & Exercise

Groin Pull

A groin pull -- or groin strain -- results from putting too much stress on muscles in your groin and thigh. If these muscles are tensed too forcefully or too suddenly, they can get over-stretched or torn.

Groin pulls are common in people who play sports that require a lot of running and jumping. In particular, suddenly jumping or changing direction is a likely cause. Groin pulls often appear in people who play soccer and football, and they make up about 10% of all injuries in professional hockey players.

What Does a Groin Pull Feel Like?

Here are some symptoms of a groin pull:

• Pain and tenderness in the groin and the inside of the thigh
• Pain when you bring your legs together
• Pain when you raise your knee
• A popping or snapping feeling during the injury, followed by severe pain

Groin pulls are often divided into three degrees of severity:

• 1^st degree: Pain, but little loss of strength or movement
• 2^nd degree: Pain and some tissue damage
• 3^rd degree: Pain, loss of function, and a complete tear of the muscle

To diagnose a groin pull, your doctor will give you a thorough physical exam. Tests like X-rays and MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) may be needed to rule out other problems.

What's the Treatment for a Groin Pull?

Happily, a groin pull will usually heal on its own. You just need to give it some time and rest. To speed the healing, you can:

• Ice the inside of your thigh to reduce pain and swelling. Experts recommend doing it for 20-30 minutes every three to four hours for two to three days, or until the pain is gone.
• Compress your thigh using an elastic bandage or tape.
• Take anti-inflammatory painkillers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Advil, Aleve, or Motrin, will help with pain and swelling. However, these drugs can have side effects; they should be used only occasionally, unless your doctor specifically says otherwise.
• Practice stretching and strengthening exercises if your doctor recommends them.

Most of the time, these conservative treatments will do the trick. But not always. If these techniques still haven't helped after six months, you may want to think about surgery. While surgery may give you relief, it's a last resort. Not everyone can return to their previous level of activity afterward.

So, talk over the pros and cons of surgery with your doctor. You should also consider getting a second opinion.

When a Groin Pull Feel Better?

Everyone wants to know how quickly they can get back in the game after a groin pull -- and how soon the pain will go away. But there's no easy answer. Recovery time depends on how serious your groin pull is. It may take four to six weeks, but that's just a rough estimate. People heal at different rates.