Groin pain can have many potential causes, including muscle strain, inguinal hernia, and kidney stones. Many causes are related to hip injuries or osteoarthritis. Less commonly, the pain may be the result of nerve injury, tumors, or a testicle infection.
Common causes of groin pain include: Pulled muscle, tendon, or ligaments in the leg -- This problem often occurs in people who play sports such as hockey, soccer, and football. This condition is sometimes called "sports hernia" although the name is misleading since it is not an actual hernia.
Pain in the inner thigh can happen for many reasons, including a muscle strain, a hernia, and kidney stones. The treatment will depend on the cause, but resting and applying warm or cool compresses may help. Home remedies can often alleviate the pain, but medical treatment may also be needed, depending on the cause.
Groin pain in females is most often caused by muscle strain. However, many other possible causes, include urinary tract infections, ovarian cysts, appendicitis, kidney stones, and osteoarthritis (OA). Groin pain can also be related to pregnancy.
Schedule a doctor's visit if you have:
Severe groin pain. Groin pain that doesn't improve with home treatment within a few days. Mild testicle pain lasting longer than a few days. A lump or swelling in or around a testicle.
The First 24 to 48 Hours
Rest the area by avoiding walking or any activity that causes pain. Crutches may be recommended to reduce further strain on the muscles when walking. Apply ice packs to the area for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours. Compress the area with an elastic bandage wrap.
In most cases, groin pain is not serious. However, if you are in severe pain or you have groin pain after an accident or injury, it is important to seek urgent medical attention. Hip fractures can cause sharp groin pain and often need surgery to stabilise the broken bone.
Usually, groin pain is related to an injury relating to overuse or straining. However, other things can cause groin pain in women. Some of the more serious causes of female groin pain include appendicitis, ovarian cysts, or even cancer. These are very rare, however.
Groin pain is a common complaint in people who have hip problems. Many times people think their groin pain is due to a pulled groin muscle, but it can be frequently due to an irritation inside the hip joint. Groin pain that comes from the hip typically develops slowly over time without a specific injury or trauma.
Make an appointment with your health care provider if:
You have pain during or after walking. You have swelling in both legs. Your pain gets worse. Your symptoms don't get better after a few days of treating them at home.
Jock itch is a fungal skin infection that causes an itchy rash in warm, moist areas of the body. The rash often affects the groin and inner thighs and may be shaped like a ring. The condition is also called tinea cruris. Jock itch gets its name because it's common in athletes.
Where the lower part of the anterior abdominal wall meets the thigh, a crease is formed known as the inguinal groove or crease. The junction is the area of the medial compartment of the thigh that contains the attachments of the adductor muscles of the hip also known as the groin muscles.
The adductor muscles are a group of muscles in the groin area made up of six main muscles: adductor brevis, adductor longus, adductor magnus, pectineus, gracilis and obturator externus. They start at the pelvic bone and attach at the thigh (femur) and leg (tibia) bones.
Cancers such as testicular or penile cancer can lead to swollen lymph nodes in the groin, similar to infections. In addition to swollen groin nodes, a dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin is also a symptom for testicular cancer.
RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation, which will relieve pain and reduce swelling. Ice should be applied to the area for 10-15 minutes every couple of hours. If an ice pack is not available, a bag of frozen peas is a great alternative, but ensure it is wrapped in a damp towel to avoid burning the skin.
How Are Groin Strains Treated? With rest and proper treatment, most groin strains heal on their own in about 4–8 weeks. More severe groin strains can take longer. It is very important to let the strain heal fully and get the doctor's OK before going back to activities.
Iliopsoas pain is generally felt deep in the groin and extends around to the front of the hip and may radiate down toward the knee. The pain may also be noted in the lower back and buttocks. Stiffness in the groin, hip, and even knee may also occur. Sometimes the iliopsoas tendon is the cause of snapping hip syndrome.
Common hip disorders associated with groin pain include: labral tears, cartilage damage inside the joint, hip impingement problems and arthritis. A physical examination and hip x-rays can help determine if there is a structural or mechanical problem in or around the hip.
After the initial swelling and inflammation has subsided, some people like to apply therapeutic heat. This can help loosen up stiff muscles and increase range of motion. Massage is another popular method for reducing tension in the groin muscles while recovering from a pull or tear.
Typical causes of hip or groin pain include injuries, arthritis, diseases, and lifestyle factors. Disorders that affect other areas of the body, such as the back, leg, or buttocks, can also cause hip pain. Common examples include spinal disorders such as sciatica and stenosis.