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Groin
Groin strain
A strain is when you stretch or tear a muscle or tendon. The muscles in your groin help you to bring your legs together. The two sets of muscles that are most commonly injured in a groin strain are the adductor muscles and the sartorius muscles.
Groin strain often occurs when you make a sudden sideways movement while rotating your leg - this is why groin strains are a common injury for footballer players, particularly while side-stepping or pivoting. Groin strain can also occur as an overuse injury (repeating a certain exercise over and over can lead to tears and strains).
What are the symptoms?
- Bruising or swelling in the area
- Pain or tenderness along the inner side of your thigh or in the groin area.
- Pain when you bring your legs together.
You may have pain when lifting your knee up.
How is it treated?
After you have visited your doctor, groin strain is usually treated at home. Treatments include:
- Applying ice to the strained muscle for 20 to 30 minutes every three to four hours for two or three days (or until the pain disappears). Don't apply ice directly to the skin, always use an ice pack wrapped in soft material
- Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication
- Wearing a supportive bandage called a thigh wrap, or elastic taping of your thigh or groin for support
- Carrying out the rehabilitation exercises you are given.
While you are recovering from your injury, you will need to change your sport or activity to one that does not aggravate your condition.
Sources
The following sources were used to write this feature:
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