Groin Strain Symptoms

A groin strain is a result of a tear or rupture that occurs in any of the five adductor muscles. The adductor muscles include the pectineus, adductor brevis, adductor longus, gracilis and adductor magnus.

  1. Grade One Symptoms

    • Grade one is normally minor damage. Less than 10 percent of the muscle fibers will be torn. Symptoms include discomfort in the inner thigh or groin; groin muscles may feel tight or tender to the touch; or discomfort in running or a changing of direction.

    Grade Two Symptoms

    • Grade two is a moderate tear with 10 to 90 percent of the muscle fibers torn. Symptoms include sudden sharp pain in the groin or adductor muscles when exercising; tightening of the groin muscles a day ofter the strain; minor swelling or bruising; weakness and pain when squeezing the legs together; discomfort and pain in stretching the strained muscles; or pain when running (walking may be affected as well).

    Grade Three Symptoms

    • Grade three is the most serious groin injury---a partial or full rupture. Symptoms include severe pain during exercise, sprinting, changing direction or running; substantial bruising and swelling on the inner thigh within 24 hours of the injury; pain when stretching the muscles, and/or a lump on the muscles.

    Causes

    • Most groin strains are a result of exercise. They can be due to external injury and a strain when performing such tasks as lifting a heavy or awkward object.

    Treatment

    • Groin strains are treated with rest, compression, ice, elevation, and pain medication if needed.