What should you know about pain in lower right abdomen and groin?

Pain linked to running, twisting, kicking or changing direction may involve the hip flexors, adductors or abdominal wall. Deep groin pain with hip flexion, sitting or pivoting can occur with Hip Impingement or a Hip Labral Tear. Stiffness with walking and reduced hip movement may occur with Hip Osteoarthritis. A bulge, cough-related pain, urinary symptoms, fever, nausea or pain that steadily worsens can point outside a simple muscle problem and should not be self-diagnosed as sports pain.

Stop the activity that brings on sharp pain and use gentle walking only if it feels comfortable. Avoid heavy lifting, forceful stretching and repeated twisting until the cause is clearer. Note whether eating, urination, bowel movements, coughing, hip movement or exercise changes the pain. A clinician can examine the abdomen, hip and groin together; Sports Physiotherapy may be useful when assessment supports a movement-related cause.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or rapidly increasing pain, a rigid or very tender abdomen, fainting, repeated vomiting, fever, blood in urine or stool, or inability to pass urine. Prompt assessment is also needed for a new groin bulge that is painful or cannot be gently reduced, or for sudden testicular or pelvic pain. Do not wait for physiotherapy if these features are present.

Ask whether the pain appears to come from the abdomen, hip, groin muscles or another source. Ask what examination is needed, whether imaging is appropriate, which activities are safe, and what changes should trigger urgent review.