Groin Strains: A Common Sport Injury

 
“Groin strains are injury to the adductor, hip flexor or abdominal muscles found along the inside of the thigh.”
 
 

Groin strains are an uncomfortable injury that can result in prolonged symptoms if not managed. This means that physiotherapy and recovery are key parts of getting back to activity. This injury is commonly found in sports that involve sudden acceleration, deceleration, direction change, and jumping (ex. hockey, soccer, rugby, etc.). Groin injuries account for 10-11% of all injuries in professional hockey and soccer.

Injury can occur due to blunt trauma (getting kicked), forceful contraction (ex. kicking), and microtrauma (repetitive injury). Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the strain, but symptoms include loss of function or strength, pain in groin, swelling and tenderness, and bruising.

This injury can involve up to 3 muscle groups:

  • Adductors

  • Abdominal group

  • Iliopsoas group (hip flexors)

Risk factors include:

  • Age

  • Hip range of motion

  • Abductor and adductor strength

  • Previous groin injury

  • Sport specific measures (40m sprint, broad/vertical jump)

A recent study by Evans (2019) shed some light on how to approach rehab with this injury. When recovering from a groin strain, here is the approximate timeline and treatment approach for this injury:

Phase 1: 0-2 weeks

Pain management: restore range of motion

  • Short lever Copenhagen isometric holds - 3 x fatigue

  • Bridge + adduction 3 x 7 reps

  • Planks 3 x 30sec

Phase 2: 2-6 weeks

Increased loading tolerance:

  • Resisted adduction 3 x 10 reps

  • Long lever Copenhagen hold 3 x fatigue

  • Banded clamshells 3 x 10

Phase 3: 6-10 weeks

Full pain free strength and increased balance + stability

  • Long lever Copenhagen active adduction 3 x 10 reps

  • Banded squats 3 x 7 reps

  • Banded side stepping 3 x fatigue

  • Lateral sliders 3x7

Phase 4: 10-12+ weeks

Sport specific rehab:

  • Kettle bell lateral lunges 3 x 7 reps

  • Skaters 3 x fatigue

  • Single leg hurdle side jumps 3xfatigue

  • Altitude landing 3 x fatigue

Evans, M. S. (2019). A Literature Review on the Effectiveness of Therapeutic Exercise on Treatment of Athletic Groin Pain. Journal of Australian Strength & Conditioning, 27 (3), 69-90.

 
 
 
Sunny DeolPursuit of Motionphysiotherapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation, Edmonton Physiotherapy, Edmonton, Groin strain, Sport injury, Muscle strain, Groin injury, Adductor injury, Hip Injury