Groin Problems and Injuries

Topic Overview

You may have had a minor groin problem at one time or another. Most of the time, our body movements do not cause problems. It's not surprising that symptoms may develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or an injury.

The groin areas are located on each side of the body in the folds where the belly joins the legs. The pubic area lies between the two groin areas.

Groin injuries most commonly occur during:

• Sports or recreational activities, such as ice hockey, cross-country skiing, basketball, and soccer.
• Work-related activities.
• Work or projects around the home.
• Motor vehicle accidents.

Groin problems and injuries can cause pain and concern. Most minor problems or injuries will heal on their own. Home treatment is usually all that is needed to relieve symptoms and heal.

Groin injury

An acute injury may occur from a direct blow, a stabbing injury, a fall, or from the leg turned in an abnormal position.

Overuse injuries occur when too much stress is placed on an area. This often happens when you overdo an activity or repeat the same activity day after day. Overuse can lead to muscle strains or tears or may cause swelling, such as bursitis .

Other causes of groin problems

Groin pain not caused by an injury to the groin may be coming from other parts of the body. This is called radiating, or referred, pain. Pulled muscles , ligaments , or tendons in the leg may cause symptoms in the groin. It is important to look for other causes of groin pain when you have not had an injury.

An inguinal hernia is a bulge of soft tissue through a weak spot in the abdominal wall in the groin area. See an illustration of an inguinal hernia . An inguinal hernia may need surgical treatment. A sports hernia may affect the same area of the groin in competitive athletes.

Rashes

Rashes in the groin area have many causes, such as ringworm or yeast. Most rashes can be treated at home.

Groin symptoms in children

When a child develops groin pain, the pain may be caused by a problem with the upper part of the thighbone (head of the femur) or the hip. Common causes of groin pain, knee pain (referred pain from the hip), or limping include:

• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. This condition affects the blood supply and proper placement of the head of the femur in the hip socket.
• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis . This condition occurs when the femur slips at the growth plate (physis) and does not fit in the hip socket correctly.
• Developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH). This condition is caused by abnormal development of the hip joint. The femur may fit loosely into the hip socket (subluxation) or be completely out of the hip socket.
• Swelling (inflammation) of the lining of the joint space of the hip ( toxic synovitis ).
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This disease causes inflamed, swollen, stiff, and often painful joints.
• Infectious arthritis (septic arthritis). This is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection inside the hip joint.

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to decide if and when you should see a doctor.

Check Your Symptoms

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Home Treatment

Home treatment measures can help relieve pain, swelling, and bruising and promote healing after a groin injury. These home treatment measures also may be helpful for noninjury problems. However, if you think you may have a more severe injury, use first aid measures while you arrange for an evaluation by your doctor.

• Rest. Rest and protect an injured or sore groin area for 1 to 2 weeks. Stop, change, or take a break from any activity that may be causing your pain or soreness. Do not do intense activities while you still have pain. A pulled muscle ( strain ) in the groin can take several weeks to heal.
• Ice. Cold will reduce pain and swelling. Apply a ice or cold pack immediately to reduce swelling. Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, three or more times a day. A bag of frozen peas or corn may work as a cold pack. Protect your skin from frostbite by placing a cloth between the ice and your skin. After 48 to 72 hours, if swelling is gone, apply warmth to the area that hurts.
• Support. While recovering from a groin injury, wear jockey shorts, not boxers, to help support the injured area.

Medicine you can buy without a prescription

Try an over-the-counter medicine to help treat your pain:
Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn Aspirin, such as Bayer or Ecotrin Talk to your child’s doctor before switching back and forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine.

Safety tips

Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use an over-the-counter medicine:

Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box. Do not use more than the recommended dose. Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it. If you are or could be pregnant, call your doctor before you take any medicine. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.

It may take 4 to 6 weeks or longer for a minor groin injury to heal. Stretching and strengthening exercises will help you gradually return to your normal activities.

Home treatment measures may also be helpful for:

• Yeast infections that cause a fiery red rash with a scalloped border and sharply outlined edges in skin folds.
• Jock itch, which is a fungus ( ringworm ) infection of the skin that may cause a rash and blisters.
• Minor cuts or skin wounds with mild bleeding.
• Minor rashes that are red and itchy. These may be caused by contact with a substance ( contact dermatitis ) such as poison ivy that causes an allergic reaction .

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• Signs of infection develop, such as fever, swelling, redness, or pus.
• Swelling develops in the scrotum or lymph nodes in the groin.
• A rash gets worse or has not improved after 2 weeks of home treatment.
• Groin pain has not improved after 1 week of home treatment.
• A limp or difficulty walking develops or becomes worse.
• Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Prevention

The following tips may help you prevent a groin injury or other problems in the groin area.

Prevent groin injury and strain

Steps to prevent a groin injury or strain may include the following:

• Warm up by stretching the groin muscles before exercising. Stretching can increase your range of motion and reduce stiffness and pain. Stretching is also important during the cool-down phase of exercise when your muscles are warm.
• Increase the intensity and length of exercise gradually. As your fitness level improves, you will be able to do more intense exercise without injury.
• Try to exercise regularly; don't just go all out on weekends.
• Use proper sports techniques and equipment. For example:
  • Wear supportive, well-cushioned shoes for running, aerobics, and walking.
  • Properly adjust your bicycle seat and handle bars for your height.
• Drink extra water before and during exercise, especially in hot or humid weather. This can help prevent muscle cramps and stiffness.
• Make sure you can always see where you are walking. To avoid falls:
  • Use a step stool when reaching for high objects. Do not stand on chairs or other objects.
  • Don't climb stairs with both hands full.
• Get help carrying heavy or awkward objects. Do not strain to lift or carry objects.

Prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

You can take measures to reduce your risk of becoming infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). You can also reduce the risk of transmitting an STD to your sex partner. Know high-risk behaviors and the symptoms of STDs and do not have sex with anyone who has these symptoms.

Condom use may reduce the risk of becoming infected with an STD. Condoms must be put on before beginning any sexual contact. Use condoms with a new partner.

Prevent jock itch or yeast infection

Steps to prevent jock itch (fungal infection of the skin in the groin) or yeast infection (cutaneous candidiasis) include the following:

• Dry yourself well after bathing. Use a hair dryer to dry your groin area.
• Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes. Avoid tight pants.
• Use a powder to absorb moisture.
• If you have athlete's foot, put your socks on before your underwear. This can prevent fungi from spreading from your feet to your groin when you put on your underwear.
• Change out of a wet bathing suit soon after swimming so that your skin can dry out.

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions.

Before your appointment

If you have a rash, do not have sexual contact or activity while waiting for your appointment. This will reduce the risk of transmitting a possible infection to your sex partner. If you do have an STD, your sex partner or partners may need to be evaluated and treated also.

Questions to prepare for your doctor appointment

• What are your main symptoms? How long have you had your symptoms?
• Have you had this problem before? If so, do you know what caused the problem at that time? How was it treated?
• What activities make your symptoms better or worse? What sports do you participate in?
• How and when did an injury occur? How was it treated?
• Have you had any injuries in the past to the same area? Do you have any continuing problems because of the previous injury?
• Do you think that activities related to your job or hobbies caused your symptoms?
• Have you had infections or rashes in the groin area in the past?
• Do you or your sex partner engage in high-risk sexual behaviors? Do you think you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease (STD) ?
• Does your sex partner have any genital symptoms or problems?
• Have you had any surgeries or procedures in the groin area?
• Have you been told that you have a hernia?
• What home treatment measures have you tried? Did they help?
• What prescription and nonprescription medicines have you taken? Did they help?
• Do you have any health risks?

Credits

Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Terrina Vail
Primary Medical Reviewer	Steven L. Schneider, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Updated	March 24, 2009