Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention and Stretching
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention and Stretching
A groin pull is a type ofmuscle strainaffecting theadductor muscle groupof the groin.The injury is caused when a groin muscle is stretched beyond itsnormal range of motion, creating superficial tears. On rare occasions, severe strains can tear the muscle in two.
When you have a groin muscle pull, you generally feel pain and tenderness that gets worse when you squeeze your legs together. There may also be swelling or bruising in the groin or inner thigh. With proper treatment, an uncomplicated groin pull will take four to six weeks to heal.
This article describes the symptoms of pulled groin muscle as well as the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery times. It also outlines some simple stretches that can help prevent groin injury.
Verywell / JR Bee
Groin Pull Symptoms
A groin pull can be quite painful,interfering with your ability to walk, navigate stairs, or even drive a car. In addition to pain, there may be other symptoms around the injured groin, including:
When to Seek Medical AttentionSee a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience signs of a severe groin strain, including:Difficulty walkingGroin pain while sitting or at restGroin pain at night
When to Seek Medical Attention
See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience signs of a severe groin strain, including:Difficulty walkingGroin pain while sitting or at restGroin pain at night
See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience signs of a severe groin strain, including:
1:41Click Play to Learn About Treating a Pulled Groin
1:41
Click Play to Learn About Treating a Pulled Groin
The risk of a groin muscle pull is greater in athletes who:
Groin pulls can also occur in non-athletes due to falls or engaging in extreme activities without the proper conditioning.
A pulled groin muscle is usually self-apparent. Most athletes know what the injury is the moment it occurs. Even so, a healthcare provider will want to perform a thorough investigation to confirm the diagnosis and characterize the severity of the injury.
This typically involves:
Differential Diagnosis
While a groin pull may seem obvious, there are certain conditions that can mimic it and require different treatments. These include:
Lump in Groin: Causes With or Without Pain
How to Relieve Groin Pain
A groin pull isn’t something you can “walk off.” The treatment is typically conservative and includes rest,ice application, and gentle stretching when appropriate. If the pain is significant, you may be advised to use crutches to reduce pain and prevent further injury.
Over-the-counter pain medications likeTylenol (acetaminophen)orAdvil (ibuprofen)are commonly prescribed. If there is severe pain from a grade 3 injury, a prescription opioid drug likefentanylorOxycontin (oxycodone)may be used for a short period to help minimize pain.
Surgery is not usually necessary.
What Is the Difference Between OxyContin and Oxycodone?
Recovery times can vary based on the severity of the injury and your physical condition before the injury.Physical therapyis almost invariably a part of the treatment plan.
Recovery TimesWith rest and proper treatment, most groin pulls will heal on their own within four to six weeks. Severe groin strains can take up to 12 weeks or longer if surgery is involved.
Recovery Times
With rest and proper treatment, most groin pulls will heal on their own within four to six weeks. Severe groin strains can take up to 12 weeks or longer if surgery is involved.
Benefits of Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Stretches to Prevent Groin Muscle Pulls
Proper conditioning is needed to prevent groin strain in athletes. The exercises help strengthen the adductor muscles, stabilize the pelvis, and strengthen the core muscles of the mid-torso (including theabdominal,oblique, andmultifidusback muscles).
When done correctly, stretches should cause a gentle pulling sensation but never pain. If there is pain, you are overdoing it and need to ease back.
There are four exercises that are especially good at preventing groin muscle pulls:
Squatting Adductor Stretch
To do the squatting adductor stretch:
Standing Adductor Stretch
This adductor stretch is done while standing, as follows:
Butterfly Stretch
The butterfly stretch is done in a sitting position, as follows:
Cross-Leg Stretch
The cross-leg stretch is also done while sitting, as follows:
Summary
A groin pull is an injury to an inner thigh muscle. Most of the time, these strains involve small tears to the muscles and can usually be treated with rest, gentle stretching, and over-the-counter pain medications.
Some groin pulls can be severe and cause a muscle to completely rupture. These tears have to be repaired with surgery. Recovery times can be extensive, lasting up to 12 weeks or more.
To prevent groin pulls, stretch regularly. In addition, include exercises that strengthen your adductor, pelvic, and core muscles.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sedaghati P, Alizadeh MH, Shirzad E, Ardjmand A.Review of sport-induced groin injuries.Trauma Mon.2013 Dec;18(3):107–12. doi:10.5812/traumamon.12666Serner A, Weir A, Tol JL, et al.Return to sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries in male athletes: a prospective cohort study.Orthop J Sports Med.2020 Jan;8(1):2325967119897247. doi:10.1177/2325967119897247Lynch TS, Bedi A, Larson CM.Athletic hip injuries.J Am Acad Orthop Surg.2017 Apr;25(4):269-79, doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00171Suarez JC, Ely EE, Mutnal AB, et al.Comprehensive approach to the evaluation of groin pain.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2013 Sep;21(9):558-70. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-21-09-558
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sedaghati P, Alizadeh MH, Shirzad E, Ardjmand A.Review of sport-induced groin injuries.Trauma Mon.2013 Dec;18(3):107–12. doi:10.5812/traumamon.12666Serner A, Weir A, Tol JL, et al.Return to sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries in male athletes: a prospective cohort study.Orthop J Sports Med.2020 Jan;8(1):2325967119897247. doi:10.1177/2325967119897247Lynch TS, Bedi A, Larson CM.Athletic hip injuries.J Am Acad Orthop Surg.2017 Apr;25(4):269-79, doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00171Suarez JC, Ely EE, Mutnal AB, et al.Comprehensive approach to the evaluation of groin pain.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2013 Sep;21(9):558-70. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-21-09-558
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sedaghati P, Alizadeh MH, Shirzad E, Ardjmand A.Review of sport-induced groin injuries.Trauma Mon.2013 Dec;18(3):107–12. doi:10.5812/traumamon.12666Serner A, Weir A, Tol JL, et al.Return to sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries in male athletes: a prospective cohort study.Orthop J Sports Med.2020 Jan;8(1):2325967119897247. doi:10.1177/2325967119897247Lynch TS, Bedi A, Larson CM.Athletic hip injuries.J Am Acad Orthop Surg.2017 Apr;25(4):269-79, doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00171Suarez JC, Ely EE, Mutnal AB, et al.Comprehensive approach to the evaluation of groin pain.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2013 Sep;21(9):558-70. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-21-09-558
Sedaghati P, Alizadeh MH, Shirzad E, Ardjmand A.Review of sport-induced groin injuries.Trauma Mon.2013 Dec;18(3):107–12. doi:10.5812/traumamon.12666
Serner A, Weir A, Tol JL, et al.Return to sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries in male athletes: a prospective cohort study.Orthop J Sports Med.2020 Jan;8(1):2325967119897247. doi:10.1177/2325967119897247
Lynch TS, Bedi A, Larson CM.Athletic hip injuries.J Am Acad Orthop Surg.2017 Apr;25(4):269-79, doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00171
Suarez JC, Ely EE, Mutnal AB, et al.Comprehensive approach to the evaluation of groin pain.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2013 Sep;21(9):558-70. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-21-09-558
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