Groin Injury

Moderate, which is a tearing of fibers in a muscle or tendon or at the attachment to the bone. Strength is diminished.

Severe, which is a rupture of the muscle tendon-bone attachment, with separation of fibers. A severe strain may require surgical repair.

Chronic strains are caused by overuse. Acute strains are caused by direct injury or over-stress.

The specific body parts involved are the tendons and muscles of the groin area, including abdominal, pelvic and thigh muscles like the external oblique, Lliac Crest, Gluteus Maximus, Sartorius, Lliopsoas and Pectineus. The bones of the groin area involved are the pelvis, spine and upper leg bone or femur. There are also soft tissues surrounding the strain, including nerves, periosteum (covering of bone), blood vessels and lymph vessels.

The signs and symptoms of a groin strain are:

These injuries are generally caused by prolonged overuse of muscle tendon units in the groin or a single violent injury or force applied to the groin muscle-tendon unit.

The risk of sustaining a groin injury increases with contact sports, sports that require quick starts, such as the start of a race or racket sports. The likelihood of sustaining a groin injury can be decreased by participating in a strengthening, flexibility and conditioning program appropriate for your sport or athletic activity and by properly warming up before practice or competition

The appropriate health care for a groin strain is a doctor's diagnosis, your own self-care during rehabilitation, proper physical therapy (for moderate or severe strain), or surgery for a severe strain.

The average healing times are: (1) mild strain -2 to 10 days,

(2) moderate strain - 10 days to 6 weeks,

(3) severe strain - 6 to 10 weeks.

Treatment should consist of following your doctor´s instructions. Some supplemental first aids are the "R.I.C.E." instructions: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (if possible).

It is helpful, as continuing care, to use ice massage 3 or 4 times a day for 15 minutes at a time. After the first 24 hours, apply heat instead of ice if it feels better. Use heat lamps, hot soaks, showers, heating pads or heat liniments and ointments. Support the injured groin area with an elasticized bandage between treatments.

Painkillers may help in the short term.. Topical liniments and ointments can be used. Your doctor may prescribe stronger pain relievers or even an injection of a long-acting local anesthetic to reduce pain.<<!!P>>!!
You may initially need to use crutches in the case of a moderate or severe strain. Resume your normal activities gradually. You can begin daily rehabilitation exercises when supportive wrapping is no longer needed and with the blessing of your doctor.

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