What should you know about groin area strain?

The discomfort may begin during a sprint, jump, kick, slide or quick turn, or appear later after repeated loading. You may notice tenderness along the inner thigh, reduced power, swelling or bruising. Pain when lifting the knee or bringing the legs together can help a clinician identify the tissues involved, although hip, abdominal and referred back problems can feel similar.

A physiotherapy assessment considers the injury mechanism, walking pattern, hip range and strength. This helps separate a muscle strain from other sources of groin pain and guides the pace of rehabilitation.

Temporarily reduce sprinting, kicking, deep lunges and any movement that causes a sharp increase in pain. Keep gentle walking within your comfort, and use a wrapped cold pack for short periods if it eases symptoms. Once daily activities improve, exercise therapy can rebuild hip and inner-thigh strength. A return-to-sport programme should add jogging, acceleration and direction changes progressively rather than all at once.

Book an assessment if pain limits normal walking, follows a pop, causes extensive bruising, or fails to improve with activity modification. Urgent care is appropriate for severe pain after trauma, inability to bear weight, new numbness or weakness, or a painful groin swelling with vomiting.

Ask whether the injury is mild or needs imaging, which exercises are suitable at each stage, how to test readiness for sport, and how to reduce the chance of aggravation when speed and cutting movements return.