What should you know about inner groin muscle pain?

The adductor muscles draw the leg inward and help stabilise the pelvis during running, cutting, kicking, and changing direction. A strain can cause local tenderness and pain when squeezing the legs together, particularly after a sudden stretch or increase in activity. Hip impingement, a hip labral tear, and hip osteoarthritis can also present with groin pain, often with stiffness, clicking, catching, or pain during hip flexion. Location helps describe the symptom but does not confirm its source.

Pause sprinting, kicking, deep lunges, and any movement that sharply increases pain. Continue gentle walking if it is comfortable and avoid testing the area repeatedly. Early care focuses on relative rest and gradual restoration of hip movement; strengthening should progress from easy, controlled adductor and hip work to sport-specific tasks. Sports physiotherapy can assess running mechanics, hip strength, balance, and return-to-play demands.

Arrange an assessment if pain affects walking, persists, recurs with activity, or comes with hip catching or restricted movement. Seek prompt help after a fall or forceful twist if you cannot bear weight, the hip looks abnormal, or pain is severe. Urgent review is needed for fever with a hot swollen joint, sudden marked weakness, numbness, or rapidly worsening symptoms.

Does the pain point to an adductor, hip joint, or another source? Which movements should I avoid temporarily? When can I begin strengthening? What milestones should I meet before returning to running or sport?