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Injury advice > Thigh Injuries > Groin Strain

Groin Strain

What is a groin strain?

When one of the adductor muscles is torn or ruptured this is called a groin strain. This injury can affect any of the five adductor muscles, the pectineus, adductor brevis and adductor longus and the gracilis and adductor magnus.

These muscles are used to pull the legs together. Sprints, football, riding a horse and hurdling all use these muscles. A rupture or tear in the muscle usually occurs when sprinting, twisting or when kicking something that has a lot of resistance such as a heavy wet ball.

What are the symptoms of groin strain?

  • There will be a tightening of the groin muscles, probably the day after competition.
  • Normally there will be a sudden sharp pain in the groin area or adductor muscles.
  • Bruising or swelling (this might not occur until a couple of days after the initial injury)
  • Inability or difficulty in contracting the adductor muscles (squeezing the legs together or possibly lifting the leg out in front).
  • There may be a lump or gap in the adductor muscles.

Groin strain is graded 1,2 or 3 depending on severity.

  • For grade 1 there may be mild discomfort as well as a little tenderness at a particular point but little or no swelling.
  • For grade 2 it will be more painful with swelling, there will be pain when it is touched and a reduced range of motion. Running may be impaired.
  • For grade 3 it will be very painful, lots of swelling and total inability to run or even walk.

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Please see the Virtual Sports Injury Clinic for more information on how to treat Groin Strain and other causes of groin pain.