- Ice the inside of your thigh to reduce pain and swelling. Experts recommend doing it for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days, or until the pain is gone.
- Compress your thigh using an elastic bandage or tape.
- Take anti-inflammatory painkillers.
How long does a pulled groin muscle take to heal?
This may include:
- Manual therapy techniques to promote hip and leg range of motion
- Custom exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles of the groin area, including areas of the lower back, hamstrings, and hips.
- Gait analysis is used to identify muscle imbalances
- Core/hip stabilization to decrease over use of groin muscles
How do you heal a pulled groin fast?
To speed the healing, you can:
- Ice the inside of your thigh to reduce pain and swelling. ...
- Compress your thigh using an elastic bandage or tape.
- Take anti-inflammatory painkillers.
How to recover from a pulled groin?
Part 1 Part 1 of 3: Getting Immediate Relief
- Ice the area. Apply ice to the injured area as soon as possible to help limit the swelling, stop any bleeding under the skin, and avoid bruising.
- The severity of your groin injury determines how long you need to refrain from physical activity. ...
- Compress the injured groin muscle. ...
- Elevate the area. ...
- Alternate the ice with heat applications. ...
How to speed up recovery from a groin strain?
Speed up healing process?
- ICE ICE ICE. No heat, will draw blood flow and increase swelling and stunt recovery.
- ICE first three days then Heat.
- Only Heat as your adductors need bloodflow to heal.
How long does it take for a groin injury to heal?
There may be swelling or bruising in the groin area or inner thigh. If you have a bad strain, you may walk with a limp while it heals. Rest and other home care can help the muscle heal. Healing can take up to 3 weeks or more.
Is walking good for a pulled groin muscle?
Rest the area by avoiding walking or any activity that causes pain. Crutches may be recommended to reduce further strain on the muscles when walking. Apply ice packs to the area for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours. Compress the area with an elastic bandage wrap.
How do you tell if groin is pulled or torn?
Individuals with a torn groin injury may feel pain in other areas of the body, including the hip, pelvis, and lower back....Symptoms of Pulled GroinHearing a “pop” in the groin following time of injury.Sharp pain.Swelling.Bruising.Tightness.Leg weakness.Limping.
What is the fastest way to relieve groin pain?
2:389:17How to Relieve Groin Muscle Pain in 30 SECONDS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust slide the foot away from the body as much as you can the more that you slide the foot away theMoreJust slide the foot away from the body as much as you can the more that you slide the foot away the more intense the stretch is going to be felt inside the leg. Into the pelvis. Into the groin.
How do I know if my groin pain is serious?
Seek immediate medical attention if you have:Groin pain associated with back, abdomen or chest pain.Sudden, severe testicle pain.Testicle pain and swelling accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, chills or blood in the urine.
Should you massage a pulled groin muscle?
After the acute stage of injury your doctor may recommend to start gently stretching the area (see some examples of stretches below), to apply heat to relax the tight muscles and may also recommend massage.
Can a woman pull a groin muscle?
Most common cause of groin pain for females A “groin strain” usually refers to torn or overstretched adductor muscles, which are located on the inside of the thigh. These types of groin injuries are usually the result of overuse or overexertion and are common among physically active people.
Is Icy Hot good for a pulled groin?
– Take an anti-inflammatory like Tylenol. – Continue the groin stretches posted above. – Alternate ice and heat on the area that hurts. Don't use Icy Hot, or you may end up with a problem.
How to prevent groin strain?
The best way to prevent groin strain is to avoid using the adductor muscle without proper training and preparation. Especially if you play a sport that’s likely to cause groin strain, regularly stretch and strengthen your adductor muscles.
How long does it take to recover from a groin strain?
Depending on the grade of your strain, here’s estimated recovery times: Grade 1: two to three weeks. Grade 2: two to three months. Grade 3: four months or more.
What is a groin strain?
Overview. A groin strain is an injury or tear to any of the adductor muscles of the thigh. These are the muscles on the inner side of the thigh. Sudden movements usually trigger an acute groin strain, such as kicking, twisting to change direction while running, or jumping. Athletes are most at risk for this injury.
What is grade 1 groin strain?
A grade 1 groin strain occurs when the muscle is overstretched or torn, damaging up to 5 percent of the muscle fibers. You may be able to walk without pain, but running, jumping, kicking, or stretching may be painful.
How to heal adductor muscle?
As your adductor muscle is recovering, avoid activities that involve pain. Resume activities gradually. This will enable your muscle to heal fully and prevent you from developing a recurrent groin strain injury. The length of time you need to recover will also depend on your level of fitness before the injury.
How to tell if groin is strained?
They can include: pain (usually felt in the inner thigh, but located anywhere from the hip to the knee) decreased strength in the upper leg. swelling.
What is the risk factor for groin strain?
The primary risk factor for groin strain is playing a sport that involves kicking, turning suddenly while running, and jumping. Needing to change direction frequently is also a risk factor.
What is a pulled groin?
A pulled groin is usually a clear diagnosis. Most athletes know what the injury is before they seek medical attention. However, other conditions can mimic the symptoms of a groin strain. 1 One condition that was previously not well-recognized is called a sports hernia .
What to do for groin strain?
These include rest, stretching, and some oral medications. Rarely is more invasive treatment necessary. Groin strain injuries can be a frustration for athletes and weekend warriors alike. The desire to return to full activity often conflicts with the duration of recovery.
How painful is a groin pull?
Groin Strain Symptoms. An acute groin pull can be quite painful, depending on how severe the injury is. Groin pulls are usually graded as follows: Grade I groin strain : Mild discomfort, often no disability. Usually does not limit activity.
What is a groin pull?
Stretches to Prevent Injury. A groin pull is an injury to the muscles (a muscle strain ) of the inner thigh. The groin muscles, called the adductor muscle group, consists of six muscles that span the distance from the inner pelvis to the inner part of the femur (thigh bone). These muscles pull the legs together and help with other movements ...
What muscles pull the legs together?
These muscles pull the legs together and help with other movements of the hip joint. The adductor muscles are important to many types of athletes including sprinters, swimmers, soccer players, and football players. When a muscle is strained, the muscle is stretched too far. Less severe strains pull the muscle beyond their normal excursion.
How to prevent groin strain injury?
Athletes, especially hockey and soccer players, should incorporate adductor strengthening, pelvic stabilization, and core strengthening exercises into their workouts to prevent injury.
Why do athletes pull their groins?
Because of this, proper conditioning is of utmost importance to prevent groin strain injury .
What is the treatment for pulled groin muscle?
Like with most other types of soft tissue injuries, pulled groin muscle treatment can include RICE therapy 5 : Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation. You can administer this treatment with traditional ice packs and compression bandages, or increase the effectiveness of therapeutic cold and compression with a cold therapy system.
How to relieve groin pain after pulling?
Massage is another popular method for reducing tension in the groin muscles while recovering from a pull or tear. This type of treatment is appropriate after the area is no longer tender to the touch, as otherwise it might be too painful and uncomfortable. 7.
Why does my groin tear?
This is because groin muscles can tear or stretch when pivoting to avoid a tackle, changing directions quickly to catch a ball, or stretching beyond the natural limits of the muscles. Any type of sudden movement in the groin area can potentially cause a strain or pull, especially when the muscles are not properly warmed up. 2.
How do you know if you pulled your groin?
When you pull a groin, you can expect to experience some or all of the following symptoms 1: Pain when you lift your knee. Pain when you use the adductor muscles, which bring your legs together. Tenderness and discomfort in the inside of the thigh. Swelling or discoloration in the groin area.
How to stretch your groin?
Seated short groin stretch: While seated on the floor, bend the knees, and bring the soles of the feet together in front of you. With a straight back, use your elbows to gently push your knees toward the floor until you feel a light stretch in the inner thigh, and hold the position.
What is a pulled groin?
A pulled groin—also known as a groin strain or sprain—occurs when the muscles in the inner thigh get overstretched or torn. 1 This can happen when they contract too quickly during activities such as running, jumping, or changing direction. 1 Although a pulled groin is a common injury among athletes, it can happen to anybody.
How to strengthen adductor muscles?
Use a small medicine ball placed between the knees to create resistance, and squeeze for five-second intervals. Repeat 10 times, and increase the duration and number of repetitions as strength improves. Straight-leg adductor exercise: Remain in a reclined position, and extend the legs flat on the floor.
What does it mean when your groin is pulled?
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 ...
How to stop groin pain?
Stop exercising if you feel pain or tightness in your groin or the inside of your thigh. Do regular strengthening exercises for your thigh muscles, especially if you've had a groin pull before. Groin injuries can result from added stress due to weakness elsewhere.
How long does it take for a groin pull to heal?
But there's no easy answer. Recovery time depends on how serious your groin pull is. It may take 4 to 6 weeks, but that's just a rough estimate. People heal at different rates. In the meantime, switch to a new activity that won't put too much stress on your groin muscles. For instance, runners could try swimming.
How to tell if you have a groin pull?
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:
What causes groin pulls?
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 is the 3rd degree of groin pull?
3rd degree: Severe pain, severe loss of strength and function due to 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.
How long does it take for a swollen thigh to heal?
To speed the healing, you can: Ice the inside of your thigh to reduce pain and swelling. Experts recommend doing it for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days, or until the pain is gone. Compress your thigh using an elastic bandage or tape.
How to treat a groin injury?
To treat a groin injury, apply ice to the area as soon as possible to reduce the swelling. Continue to apply ice for 15 minute intervals every 2 hours for the first 48 hours after the injury. Additionally, take painkillers, like ibuprofen or aspirin, to manage the pain.
How long does it take to recover from a groin injury?
More severe injuries require at least six to eight weeks or even longer for adequate recovery. Take at least five to seven days off from physical activity to allow your injury ...
What causes pain in the buttocks and lower abdomen?
A sports hernia is indicated by pain in the lower abdomen and groin, pain when coughing or sneezing, and continuing groin pain that flares up when you are active. Stress fractures in your femur or pubic bone may cause pain in the groin and spread to your buttocks.
What causes pain in the inner thigh?
The inner thigh pain caused by a groin injury can range from mild to severe, and can happen to anyone at any age. The pain results from a tear or rupture of any one of five muscles that run along the inner thigh, attaching to the pelvic bone at the upper end, and just above the knee area at the other.
What does it feel like to have a groin strain?
The symptoms commonly seen with a groin strain or injury include feelings of tightness or cramping, sudden or sharp pain, and pain when the muscle is either contracted or stretched. Severe injuries can include extreme pain even when just walking.
What is a grade 1 groin injury?
Groin injuries are graded based on the severity of the injury. Grade 1 injuries are milder and are caused by overstretching one or more of the five muscles, with micro-tearing of muscle fibers within the injury. Grade 2 injuries are the most common type, and involve partial tearing of muscle tissue.
How to stretch your groin?
Perform a simple stretch that targets the groin area before and after you work out or participate in sports. Sit on the floor with your back gently against the wall. Place the bottoms of your feet together and pull your feet in toward your groin. Gently and slowly move your knees toward the floor.
How long does it take to heal a torn groin muscle?
Typically, recovery for an injured groin muscle can run between 4-12 weeks and estimates for each grade are below: Grade 1: 4-6 weeks. Grade 2: 2-3 months.
What are the symptoms of a pulled groin?
Individuals suffering from pain in the groin area groin muscle often display or describe the following: Individuals with a torn groin injury may feel pain in other areas of the body, including the hip, pelvis, and lower back.
What is a grade 1 groin injury?
Torn groin injuries are given a grade, according to the amount of damage: Grade 1: Mild overstretching or slight tearing of muscle fibers. The muscle is painful, but has near normal strength. Grade 2: Moderate tear of a larger amount of muscle fibers.
How many muscles are in the groin?
The groin muscles are complex and include six different muscles. Groin muscles help with movements of the hip joint. In fact, groin injuries are often misdiagnosed as hip injuries leading to continued pain and tenderness.
What is a strained groin?
STRAINED GROIN: INJURY SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT & TIMING. Athletes frequently suffer from groin strain or torn groin injuries. These muscle strains often occur during physical activity that includes the following: Quick starts and stops, especially in the lower body. Sudden trauma (i.e. tackled on the field)
How to diagnose a torn groin?
To diagnose a torn groin injury, doctors will conduct a physical examination or provide a referral to a specialist, like a sports medicine professional. This physician team may request an X-ray or MRI to assist with diagnosis. Torn groin injuries are given a grade, according to the amount of damage:
Where is the groin located?
The groin muscles are located where the abdomen meets the leg, and the muscles of the inner thigh are attached to the front of the hip. A torn groin injury occurs when these adductor muscles are overstretched because of extreme force. The groin muscles are complex and include six different muscles.
How to heal a groin muscle?
Ice helps decrease the inflammation associated with muscle strains, which both causes pain and restricts the muscle's ability to heal. Ice should be applied for 20 minutes at a time, several times per day, with a barrier between the ice and the skin, such as a thin dishtowel.
What is a pull in the groin?
A groin pull, or strain, refers to an overstretch or tear injury to one of the three adductor muscles that run down the inside of the thigh and work to pull the legs together.
How to help a swollen leg?
Use a compression bandage to further reduce swelling and give your leg support, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1. Wrap an elastic bandage around the affected thigh, especially when you're mobile. Elevate the leg whenever you're sitting or lying down.
How to keep leg from bearing weight?
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says that your doctor might prescribe crutches to keep the leg from bearing weight 1. Ice your groin. Ice helps decrease the inflammation associated with muscle strains, which both causes pain and restricts the muscle's ability to heal.
Can running cause a pull in the groin?
While sports that use a lot of direction changes during running, kicking and quick acceleration are more likely to result in a groin pull, simply falling or twisting suddenly during everyday activities can also cause injury.
What is the best treatment for a pull in the groin?
The most common form of treatment for a groin pull is women are rest and medications. Ibuprofen and Naproxen are both anti-inflammatory medicines that help with swelling and inflammation. Heat applied to the general area or a warm bath can provide temporary relief. Treatment is based on the exact cause of the pain.
How to treat groin pain in women?
Groin pain treatment in women varies depending on the diagnosis during your evaluation. Heat applied to the general area or a warm bath can provide temporary relief.
What is a groin strain?
A groin strain is when there is a tear or pull in the three muscles of the inner thigh, also called the adductor muscles. This combination of muscles runs from the groin all the way down the inner thigh and connects to the knee. A pulled groin can be caused by many different things, such as a direct blow to the groin area, ...
How do you know if you have a pull in your groin?
Symptoms of Female Groin Pulls. Symptoms can be mild to very severe in a groin pull. You will experience pain when moving, and you may experience groin pain when going to the bathroom.
Can ovarian cysts run down leg?
Ovarian cysts can cause intense pain that may seem to run down the leg and may resemble a muscle pull. X-rays, CT scans and other tests may be performed to rule out any other problems before a full diagnosis is given. Your physician will physically exam the area to locate any swelling or lumps that appear on the groin area. ...
Can cysts in the groin cause pain?
Your physician will physically exam the area to locate any swelling or lumps that appear on the groin area. Ovarian cysts can cause intense pain that may seem to run down the leg and may resemble a muscle pull.
Groin Strain Symptoms
Causes
- Use ice pack on the sore area
- Stop any activity that puts strain on the groin area
- Rest for a day or two
- Try an over- the- counter pain reliever like ibuprofen
- Do not lift heavy objects
- Groin pain does not improve with home treatment within a few days
- Mild testicle pain occurs longer than a few days
- A lump or swelling in or around a testicle
See a doctor immediately if you notice:
- Intensity of pain keeps increasing
- Tender bump just above the groin crease that does not flatten when you lie down or press on it
- Overall abdominal swelling or pain
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above lasting for 24 to 48 hours
- Repeated vomiting
- Pain that moves to the lower right abdomen, just below the waistline, or spreads to the back
- Sudden, severe testicle pain
Diagnosis
Treatment
Stretches to Prevent Injury
Summary
A Word from Verywell
- Once a strain is diagnosed, you can begin treatment. Rest, stretching, and oral pain medications are the most common treatments. Surgery is not usually necessary. Groin strains can be frustrating for athletes and weekend warriors alike. You may want to return to your activities before you're fully recovered. Exactly how long it takes to recover will depend on how severe the …