A groin injury is one of the most common sports injuries, but it can also happen on other occasions. Most groin injuries occur when the lower abdominal muscles are overused or used repeatedly. They usually happen on the side of the athlete's more muscular leg. Groin strains are by far the most common type of groin injury. They happen when one or more of the pelvic muscles, such as the lower abdominal or thigh muscles, tear. Most of the time, it hurts where the muscle and tendon meet. It can worsen over time if you don't get it treated. Even though they can be painful and make it hard to move, some treatments can help get rid of the symptoms and stop any permanent damage they could cause.

Symptoms of a Groin Strain

Here are some of the main symptoms of a groin strain:

• Sharp pain in the groin or inside the thigh comes on quickly. This can be anything from a bit of discomfort to a lot of pain.
• Symptoms can be felt either in the middle of the muscle or where the tendon attaches to the pelvis, which is higher up.
• When you run fast or turn quickly, you often feel pain.
• Depending on your injury, you may or may not be able to continue to play or train.

A Grade 1 strain is not too bad. This happens when the muscle fibers are stretched too far, but there are no tears. The muscle will feel tighter as you move it and stretch it. You might be able to walk without pain, but it might hurt to run, jump, change direction, or kick.

A muscle is partially torn when it is strained at grade 2. Your pain will be more immediate and more substantial than with a Grade 1 strain, and you may also have some swelling. There will be less strength and flexibility in the muscles. Most of the time, it hurts to touch the muscle, and it will be hard to walk without pain.

A Grade 3 strain is a tear in the muscle that is either very bad or complete. Where the tear is, you might be able to feel a hole in the muscle. You will feel a sudden, sharp pain inside your thigh, and you may get bruises. You will be in a lot of pain when you walk. Some grade 3 strains may require surgical intervention.

Causes of a Groin Strain

Have a look at some of the major causes of groin strain:

• Most groin strains happen when people run fast or quickly change direction. Or when you move your leg quickly against resistance, like kicking a ball.
• Overstretching the muscle, like doing high kicks in martial arts, can also cause it to tear. If you have sudden, severe groin pain, it is also possible that you have hurt more than one structure.
• Not warming up
• Back problems or injuries in the lower back

Also Read: 5 Ways To Relieve Leg Cramps

Treatments of a Groin Strain

Here are the best treatments available of a groin injury:

1. Strapping

Putting pressure on an injured area immediately with a strap can help it heal faster. It can also protect and support the muscles while they heal and stop the injured muscle from worsening.

2. Ice

As soon as possible after getting hurt, use cold therapy and compression wrap for at least the first 48 hours. This will help stop internal bleeding, reduce pain and swelling, and speed up healing. At first, use it for 10 minutes every hour. As your symptoms get better, you can use it less often. Do not put ice directly on your skin, or you could get an ice burn.

3. Electrotherapy

Some types of electrotherapy, like ultrasound, can be used to help the body heal. Ultrasound sends high-frequency waves into the tissues, which affects a small massage. It could also help get rid of any swelling.

4. Groin Support

Wearing groin support can help halt muscular bleeding, lessen swelling, and protect the injured muscle. Wearing groin support. In the later stages of recovery, groin supports and compression shorts effectively give consent and maintain muscle heat.

5. Massage

After the acute period, sports massage may be effective for releasing muscle tension and promoting blood flow and nutrients. Massage should be avoided whenever possible because it can worsen the injury by increasing bleeding.

6. Exercises

After the acute phase of a groin strain has passed, you can begin a complete rehabilitation program. This is especially vital in preventing recurring Groin strains. Always perform pain-free exercises, starting with gentle static stretches where you relax into the stretch and hold. The purpose of strengthening exercises is to gradually increase the load via your muscles, up to the point of discomfort. Before returning to full competitive fitness, it is necessary to perform sports-specific and movement-control workouts.

Prevention from a Groin Injury

• Warm up before you play a sport or work out. It would help if you did dynamic stretches, light cardio, and sport-specific drills as part of your warm-up.
• The inner and outer thigh muscles should be stretched every day. You should also stretch your hamstrings to keep your muscles in good shape.
• Strengthening the muscles on the inside and outside of your thighs will ensure they can handle your sport's demands.
• There are sports-specific drills to practice turning and kicking, two things that often cause groin strains. This will help the muscles get used to moving in this way.
• Don't train too much, and make sure you get enough rest between workouts to keep your muscles from getting tired. Your muscles don't work well when tired, which can make you more likely to get hurt.

Takeaway

Most groin strains aren't too bad, but they can take a long time to heal, depending on how bad they are. Groin strains of grade 3 can take more than four months to heal. Your symptoms will improve over time if you get the proper care and treatment. Talk to your doctor about how to treat the strain in your groin. If your pain is severe or lasts for a long time, you should see a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. How do I know if my groin injury is serious?

A. Check for the symptoms mentioned above, and if you have any of them, you should visit your doctor.

Q. Is walking good for groin strain?

A. No, you should avoid walking and rest for some time.

Q. How long does it take to recover from a groin strain?

A. Groin strain takes 4 to 8 weeks to heal.

Q. How do you sleep with a groin strain?

A. You can sleep with a pillow below your legs.\

Also Read: Muscle Cramps: Causes & Treatment