Pain after an angiogram in the groin: what should you know?

The catheter enters through a blood vessel in the groin, so tenderness or a small bruise can occur as the puncture heals. Discomfort may also come from keeping the hip still after the procedure. A firm or enlarging lump, persistent bleeding, marked swelling, or pain spreading into the thigh can indicate bleeding or a circulation problem. Groin pain can also arise from the hip or nearby muscles; the symptom itself does not identify one diagnosis. See [Groin Pain](/symptoms/groin-pain/) for other possible sources.

Follow the discharge instructions about resting, bathing, driving and lifting. Keep the access site clean and dry as directed, and check it for fresh bleeding or increasing swelling. If bleeding starts, lie down, apply firm pressure as instructed by the procedure team, and contact the service that performed the angiogram. Drink fluids if your clinicians have allowed this, and take only the recommended pain relief. Resume walking gradually rather than testing the hip with strenuous activity. If pain continues, ask whether [Sports Physiotherapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/sports-physiotherapy/) is appropriate after vascular review.

Get urgent help for bleeding that does not stop with pressure, a rapidly enlarging groin swelling, severe or escalating pain, faintness, or new weakness. Seek immediate assessment if the leg or foot becomes cold, pale, blue, numb or difficult to move. Chest pain, severe breathlessness or collapse are emergencies. Contact the angiogram team promptly for fever, increasing redness, pus, or a wound that is opening.

Ask how the access site should look as it heals, when normal activity can restart, and which medicines to continue. Clarify whether you need a review of the pulse, sensation and movement in the leg. If soreness remains after the site has healed, ask whether a hip or muscle problem could be contributing; conditions such as [Hip Impingement](/conditions/hip-impingement/), [Hip Labral Tear](/conditions/hip-labral-tear/) or [Hip Osteoarthritis](/conditions/hip-osteoarthritis/) may need separate assessment.