Types of Groin-Pull Injury Treatments

A pulled or strained groin is a common injury of the adductor muscles located on the inside part of the thigh. It is especially common among athletes and can be quite painful. There are three different types of groin pull: micro-tearing, partial tearing and complete tearing of the muscle. Although treatment is the same for each type of injury, the length of recovery and frequency at which you must employ the various types of treatment are different.

Causes

• There are a variety of different ways you can pull your groin, the most common of which being overexertion of the muscles beyond the limits of what they can withstand. For example, stretching the muscles past their normal stretching capabilities or engaging in too much activity that places stress on the groin muscles can cause them to become inflamed and be very painful. An unexpected blow to the area and sudden movement of the groin muscles when they are unprepared, such as turning to quickly, can also lead to groin pulls.

Basic Treatment

• The focus of basic groin pull treatment is to prevent aggravation of the injury and allow it ample time to recover. These treatments can easily be accomplished at home. First and foremost, you should rest the groin as often as possible. Applying ice wrapped in a towel to the affected area several times a day can help alleviate pain and swelling, while a compression bandage wrapped comfortably but not too tightly around the affected area can help prevent swelling. Swelling can also be prevented by keeping the leg elevated for up to 24 hours after the injury occurs.

Stretching Methods

• As the injury begins to heal and the pain subsides, your doctor may recommend stretching exercises. Your doctor or physical therapist will outline a proper stretching routine depending on the severity of your specific injury. Before stretching and once you are ready to return to physical exercise, heat should be applied to the groin, which can lower the risk of another groin injury from occurring. Your doctor may also recommend that you perform routine strengthening exercises in conjunction with stretching. You should only stretch the groin muscles within the limits of your pain threshold as overstretching could lead to aggravation of the injury. Consult with your doctor or a physical therapist to determine which stretching methods will work best for you.

Medication and Surgery

• Medication is not necessary to treat a pulled groin muscle, but in some cases your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain killers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. In severe cases your doctor may prescribe a stronger pain killer or anti-inflammatory drug, as well as corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation. Topical medication such as an analgesic cream or lotion may be used as well. If the muscle has been completely torn, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage. If you suspect that this has occurred, consult with your doctor immediately.

Prognosis

• Most groin pull injuries recover on their own with little to no medical help. Although still painful, mild to moderate strains can recover within anywhere from two weeks to two months, depending on the severity of the pull and how closely you follow a proper treatment regimen. Recovery from severe groin pulls that result in a completely torn adductor muscle may take upwards of three months. If surgery is performed, a small portion of the recovery time may be spent in the hospital.