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Groin

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Complaints

Groin Complaints

Groin complaints refer to pain in the area at the front and inside of the upper thigh and the pubic region. These complaints encompass a wide range of issues with various causes. This is because the groin serves as an important connection in the chain between the core, lower back, and pelvis with the hip and leg. As a result, this region is subjected to significant forces, especially during (explosive) sports activities.


Pain can primarily stem from the groin muscles, hip flexors, abdominal muscles, lower back muscles, pubic bone, inguinal canal, hip joint, and pelvis. Due to this complexity, it is crucial to establish an accurate diagnosis so that treatment can be tailored to your specific complaints. Groin complaints are known for their tendency to persist if not properly addressed, so don’t wait too long to take action if you experience symptoms!

Complaints

Groin

There are many possible causes of groin complaints, with the most common ones being:
  • An imbalance in the length of the groin, hip, and/or back muscles
  • An imbalance in the strength of the groin, hip, glute, and/or abdominal muscles
  • Limited mobility in the hip or back, causing the groin area to compensate
  • Excessive peak forces during activity (sports) that exceed the tolerance of muscle or tendon tissue, leading to damage
  • Lack of or improper warm-up
  • Increasing training intensity or volume too quickly
  • Insufficient recovery time between training sessions

Overuse Injuries

  • Acute Groin Pain: About one-third of groin complaints are acute, arising from high peak loads, often during sports. These complaints are characterized by a clear moment of onset, usually accompanied by a sharp or stabbing pain in the groin, which often prevents a full return to sport.
  • Chronic Overuse: The remaining two-thirds fall under chronic overuse. These complaints often start subtly and gradually worsen, making certain activities difficult or impossible. This usually results from an imbalance between the muscles' and tendons' capacity to handle stress and the demands of daily activities.
  • Referred Pain: from the Back, Pelvis, or Hip Groin pain can also originate from the lower back, pelvis, or hip. This is due to the complex interplay of ligaments and muscles in these regions, which function as a unit but can also become dysfunctional as a unit.
  • Groin Hernia: A groin hernia can develop from activities such as heavy lifting or frequent coughing. Key symptoms include increasing groin pain when applying pressure, such as sneezing, straining, coughing, or performing high-pressure exercises like abdominal workouts or heavy squats. Additionally, a lump in the groin area is typically present, which worsens when pressure is applied. A groin hernia occurs due to a weak spot or opening in the inguinal canal, allowing a protrusion from the intestines. If you experience these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor.
Groin complaints can often persist for a long time, so prevention is definitely better than cure! Here are some tips to help prevent groin pain:
  • Perform a proper warm-up of at least 15 minutes before explosive sports activities. Tendon tissue takes longer to warm up than muscles. Include not only running drills but also dynamic stretching and mobility exercises for the back and hips.
  • Incorporate strength training for the groin, hip flexors, and glutes into your routine.
  • Gradually increase the intensity and volume of your training program. Seek professional guidance if you're unsure how to do this.
  • Allow sufficient rest between training sessions.
  • Consult a physiotherapist if you have concerns about any of these aspects. Physiotherapists are there not only to treat injuries but also to help prevent them!