What should you know about groin area muscle strain?

Pain may sit along the inner thigh or groin and can start suddenly during sprinting, changing direction, kicking or stretching. Tenderness, swelling, bruising, weakness, or pain when squeezing the legs together can occur. A clinician may compare hip movement and muscle strength and may consider other causes if the pain is deep, persistent or associated with a lump.

A strain is different from ordinary muscle soreness after exercise: soreness tends to be diffuse and settles as the muscles recover, while a strain is more local and may limit a specific movement.

Reduce activities that reproduce the pain, but keep comfortable gentle movement so the hip and knee do not become stiff. In the early period, a wrapped cold pack may help discomfort. Do not place ice directly on skin. As walking becomes easier, a physiotherapist can guide gradual mobility, inner-thigh strengthening and a controlled return to running or sport. Increase one activity at a time and stop if pain becomes sharper or lingers after exercise.

Arrange an assessment if you cannot walk normally, felt a pop, have marked bruising or swelling, or the pain is not steadily improving. Seek urgent medical help for severe pain after a major injury, inability to move the leg, numbness or weakness, or a painful groin bulge with vomiting or abdominal pain.

Ask which muscle is involved, whether your hip or lower back also needs examination, which movements are safe now, and what milestones should come before running, kicking or changing direction.