Symptoms
The characteristic symptom of a groin strain is pain in the area of the damaged muscles. In general, the symptoms depend on the severity of the injury. Other symptoms of groin strain are swelling of the thigh, cramps and painful pressure on the affected muscles.
- In stage I of an inguinal strain, cramps and/or slight pain are felt in the area of the inner side of the thigh when under stress. Further strain on the muscles is initially possible, but is strongly discouraged.
- In stage II, pain is felt when the leg is loaded and moved outwards and inwards. In this stage, some muscle fibers are already affected, although the proportion is less than 5%.
- Stage III of a groin strain is characterized by severe pain in the muscle group and strain is no longer possible.
In addition, blood may leak out of the injured body cells and thus make the groin strain visible through a bruise. In stage III more than 5% of the muscle fibers are affected.
The duration as well as the course of a groin strain can be individually different. The exact duration until the groin strain is completely healed depends on the respective severity and the time of the beginning of treatment.
In general, it can be assumed that even simple immediate measures can help to positively influence the duration of the healing process. In this context, cooling the groin region and elevating the legs play a decisive role. These simple immediate measures have been proven to significantly shorten the healing time of groin strain, regardless of its severity.
According to medical definition, a 1st degree groin strain is the weakest form of this disease. For this reason, a comparatively short duration can be expected in the case of a first-degree groin strain. As a rule, this mild form of groin strain requires no medical treatment.However, if there are any doubts about the characteristics and the therapeutic measures, a doctor must be consulted and asked for advice.
A higher degree of groin strain that is classified lower can lead to a significantly prolonged healing period if appropriate treatment measures are not initiated. In the case of a simple 1st degree groin strain, the sports activity can be continued without interruption despite slight pain. The pain experienced by the patient usually subsides completely within a few days.
Patients suffering from a 2nd degree groin strain usually experience much stronger pain. Typically, this pain is provoked by simple strain (for example, while walking). Often a 2nd degree groin strain is accompanied by a torn muscle fibre.
For this reason, the time until the pain subsides completely is significantly longer in most patients. Patients suffering from a second-degree pulled groin should be aware that under no circumstances should the affected musculature be strained too early. Otherwise, excessive strain can have a negative effect on the duration of the healing process.
In addition, the discomfort caused by the groin strain can be significantly increased when the affected muscles are subjected to heavy strain. The transition of an uncomplicated groin strain into a chronic course of disease is also not uncommon in patients who take up sports activities too early. A grade 3 groin strain is the most severe form of this disease.
Patients affected must usually expect the healing period to last several weeks. In addition, the torn muscle fibers associated with the inguinal strain of the 3rd degree often lead to particularly pronounced pain symptoms. For this reason, the patient’s mobility is severely restricted during the entire healing period.
Both in the case of a 2nd degree groin strain and a 3rd degree groin strain, we expressly advise against any kind of sports activity. Otherwise, the groin strain and the associated pain symptoms can worsen considerably. If the muscles are strained too early, the duration until complete healing can be prolonged.
Irrespective of the severity of the groin strain in each patient, various treatment measures can have a positive effect on the duration of the healing process. The external supply of magnesium (for example in the form of effervescent tablets) is one of the most promising treatment measures for groin strain. The treatment of a pulled groin depends on the severity of the injury.
In any case, a continuation of the training must be avoided. If the training is continued, it is possible that a so-called chronification of the disease occurs, i.e. the pain continues for months. In the case of a chronic groin strain, it may take up to 6 months before the muscles can be exercised again without pain.
In the first 24 hours after a groin strain has occurred, the so-called PECH scheme must be followed. First of all, the patient has to take a break from sports activities in order to prevent the injury from worsening. In order to counteract the symptoms of swelling of the thigh and possible bruising, cooling (ice) and application of a compression bandage (compression) is recommended.
In addition, the leg should be elevated so that swelling is not further promoted by prolonged standing or walking. If there is a suspicion that you have a pulled groin, you should avoid massaging the area, as this could disturb inflammatory processes and promote bleeding. The same applies to blood circulation-promoting ointments, which should be avoided in the first 24 hours after a pulled groin.
Pain-relieving ointments without blood circulation-promoting effect, on the other hand, are highly recommended for immediate pain treatment. At the latest after these immediate measures, a doctor should be consulted to diagnose the pulled groin and to discuss further therapy. There are different approaches to the treatment of a pulled groin.
As a rule, physiotherapeutic treatment is initiated after or during a longer break from sport, which can last 2-10 weeks depending on the severity of the injury. This often includes physiotherapy, light stretching exercises, lymph drainage and, under certain circumstances, electrotherapy.Anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac or ibuprofen are also prescribed by the doctor if necessary. After a few weeks, depending on the symptoms, a slowly increasing load on the leg can be started again.
It should be noted that training should be stopped even at slight pain in order not to jeopardize the success of the therapy. In extremely severe cases of groin strain, it is quite possible that surgery will be suggested by the treating physician. This is the case with pulled groins, where a large number of muscle fibers are torn.
During the operation, the bleeding is removed and the muscle fibres are sutured to speed up healing. Immediately after the groin strain, the affected area should be cooled immediately. Smallest blood vessels tear through the injury.
Heat would promote blood circulation and more blood and fluid would enter the tissue. Bruises and swellings develop. Ice and cooling ointments can have an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect in the acute phase.
Raising the leg also prevents the increased blood circulation. After two days, for example, it is then advisable to apply measures that promote blood circulation. In addition to ointments and heat plasters, these include heat baths and warm compresses.
In physiotherapy, stimulation current treatments and lymph drainage are also used in the later healing phase. The primary measure for groin strain is protection. Sport should be avoided even over a longer period of time.
The healing process can be supported with locally applied ointments. A cooling ointment should be applied at the beginning. These usually contain menthol or other essential oils.
They cool the affected area and relieve pain and inflammation. Ointments that promote blood circulation should not be used at first, as these promote the development of bruises and swellings. After the acute phase, after about 48 hours, blood circulation-promoting ointments help.
These heat creams contain for example capsaicin. They improve blood circulation and accelerate healing. Ointments containing ibuprofen or other pain-relieving substances also have an analgesic effect.
Horse ointment should not be applied at the beginning because it also contains substances that promote blood circulation. In the further course of the treatment, however, one can fall back on them, just like ointments with homeopathic ingredients such as arnica or horse chestnut. If a groin strain occurs, the athletic activity must be interrupted immediately.
Also in the next time you should refrain from sports and stress until the injury is completely healed. After a period of healing and complete abstinence from sports, it can be helpful to slowly start exercising again in consultation with a physiotherapist. The build-up training should initially consist of massages, light gymnastics and stretching exercises.
If training is resumed too hastily, recurring groin strain can quickly occur. Exercises for stretching the adductors can look as follows: The athlete sits on the floor with outstretched legs, between which there is an angle of about 90 degrees. The upper body is now slowly bent forward to touch or grip the tips of the feet.
Also while sitting, the legs are angled, the soles of the feet point inwards and touch each other. Now the elbows press the knees with light pressure towards the floor. These exercises can also be used as a preventive measure against groin strains during warm-up training.
