Certain sports carry with them a risk of acute groin injury/ groin strain. Sports such as GAA, soccer and rugby that involve running, kicking and fast change in direction, carry an increased risk of groin injury compared to repetitive sports like swimming or cycling.
The most common muscle involved is the Adductor Longus and if this is strained, sudden pain will be felt on the inside thigh up to the groin. Often these injuries are very straightforward to diagnose and treat. A thorough history taking and physical exam can usually identify the injured structure.
Treatment will involve advice to rest, ice, compression and protection (taping or brace) to treat the initial pain and swelling and importantly, prevent any further injury from occurring. Strapping can be very effective in the first few days for pain relief. Manual therapy and exercise will follow. Exercise focused towards stretching long-term muscle tightness in the area and strengthening primarily gluteal and core muscles and later, adductor muscles.
Manual therapy (massage) will be used if indicated by the presence of increased adductor muscle tone in the early days or shortened scar tissue a number of weeks later. The key theme of your rehab for a groin strain will be building the blocks towards a safe return to your sport and preventing a similar injury occurring in the future.
