Courtesy of University Sports Medicine
www.ubsportsmed.buffalo.edu

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WHAT IS A GROIN STRAIN?

A strain is a stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon. People commonly call such an injury a "pulled" muscle. The muscles in your groin help bring your legs together. There are two muscles that may commonly get injured in a groin strain: the adductor magnus (the muscle running down the inner side of the thigh), and the sartorius (a thinner muscle that starts on the outside of your hip, crosses your thigh, and attaches near the inside of the knee).

HOW DOES IT OCCUR?
A groin strain most commonly occurs when you are
running or jumping, or when there is a forced push-off or
cut.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
You will have pain or tenderness either along the inner
side of your thigh or in the groin area. You will have pain
when you bring your legs together, and you may also
have pain when lifting your knee.

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
Your doctor will take note of your symptoms and examine
your thigh and hip.

HOW IS IT TREATED?
Treatment may include:

- applying ice to the strained muscle for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days, or until the pain goes away

- taking anti-inflammatory medication as prescribed by your doctor

- wearing a supportive bandage called a thigh wrap, or taping your thigh or groin

- doing rehabilitation exercises you are given

WHEN CAN I RETURN TO MY SPORT OR ACTIVITY?
The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Return to your activity will be determined by how soon your groin area recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury occurred.

In general, the longer that you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take you to get better. You may safely return to your sport or activity when, starting from the top of the list and progressing to the end, each of the following is true:

- You have full range of motion in the injured leg compared to the uninjured leg

- Your leg has regained normal strength compared to the uninjured leg

- You are able to jog straight ahead without limping

- You are able to sprint straight ahead without limping

- You are able to do 45 degree cuts, first at half speed, then at full speed

- You are able to do 90 degree cuts, first at half speed, then at full speed

- You are able to do 10 yard figure-eight runs, first at half speed, then at full speed

- You are able to jump on both legs without pain, and jump on the injured leg without pain

HOW CAN I PREVENT A GROIN STRAIN?
A groin strain is best prevented by warming up properly,
and doing groin muscle stretching exercises prior to your
activities. This is especially important in activities such as
sprinting or jumping.