What Are the Treatments for a Pulled Groin?

A groin pull is a painful tear of the adductor muscles. The small fibers that form the three muscles running down the inside of the thigh to the knee are generally torn from overstretching, unexpected stress, overuse or even a blow to the inner leg. You can use both home and professional treatments to help the adductors heal.

Causes

• You're at greater risk of a groin pull if you do certain things. First, you're more likely to tear the adductors if you participate in sports that rely on sudden acceleration, such as basketball, football, rugby and soccer, plus such track and field events as long jump, hurdles and sprinting. A tear is also more likely if you are tired. Overexertion and understretching can lead to a groin pull as well. Working out in cold weather can also contribute.

Considerations

• You should suspect a groin pull if you have bruising, tenderness and pain, or stiffness in the groin or inner thighs. Another sign is adductor weakness. You may even hear a popping as the injury occurs. After examination, a doctor may rate your groin pull as a grade 1, 2, or 3. If your pull is grade 1, you have stretched the adductors and there is some microtearing of the muscle fibers. You can expect recovery in about two weeks. Grade 2 means partial tearing of the adductor fibers. Healing may take up to two months. If your muscle is completely torn, it is a grade 3, and recovery can take three or more months.

Self Help

• If you have a groin pull, you can take some self-help measures. First, avoid activities that hurt. You may even have to walk differently, by shortening your stride. Resume sports only after the pain has stopped. For the first 24 hours, elevate your leg to reduce swelling. You can wrap a cloth or "Ace" bandage around your thigh to prevent swelling (keep it comfortable, not tight). Ice therapy for the first several days will also provide some relief. Apply wrapped ice or an ice pack to the adductors for 15 to 20 minutes, four times each day. Analgesics (aspirin, ibuprofen) may also be indicated; follow bottle directions and those provided by your doctor.

Returning to Activity

• When you return to physical activity, you should change your treatment approach. Use heat instead of ice on the injured muscle. This is particularly effective before stretching or other activity. After the acute pain leaves, your doctor may recommend stretching exercises several times a day, as well. Physical therapy includes strengthening exercises for your adductor muscles to help prevent future injury.

Prevention

• To avoid getting a groin pull, develop the adductor muscles. This will allow them to bear up under sudden stress. Don't neglect your adductors when stretching, either. Langone Medical Center at NYU also recommends learning proper sports techniques so that you don't place undue stress on the adductors.