Groin pain is a frequent disabling injury that can affect all types of sports people – runners, footballers, golfers, rugby players and cyclists to name just few.  Pain in the groin can have numerous sources causing the pain.  It is crucial that the assessment and diagnosis of the groin pain is determined correctly so as to start your healing and rehabilitation process.

Diagnosis is KEY to the start of your recovery!

Groin Pain Assessment

At Kensington Physio & Sports Medicine we pride ourselves on our ability to confidently assess and diagnose groin pain.  From your initial history taking, and physical assessment we are able to determine the causes of groin pain and establish the correct path for your recovery.

What causes groin pain?

The distinction between groin pain caused by an acute, traumatic injury, overload or biomechanical issue is the first starting point to determine why you have pain in the groin region.  This will distinguish between a groin strain and groin pain.

Pain in the groin area or “groin pain” can have multiple culprits causing the pain and often it is a combination of a few structures.  Groin pain in men and groin pain in women is often caused by different reasons and these usually relate to sport and also whether or not a woman is pregnant.  Groin pain in men is more commonly caused by sport.

Possible structure involved in groin pain:

  • Hip joint
  • Pubic symphysis
  • Adductors (Longus, Brevis, Magnus)
  • Thoracic and lumbar spine
  • Abdominals (Rectus Abdominus, Internal Oblique, External Oblique, Transversus Abdominus)
  • Psoas major & minor, iliacus
  • Hamstrings (biceps fem, semi-tendinosus, semi-membranosus)
  • Bone (stress fracture/reaction)
  • Quadriceps
  • Inguinal ligament
  • Nerves (obturator, ilioinguinal, iliohypagastric, inguinal)
  • Blood vessels (femoral artery)
  • Ligaments (inguinal, conjoint)
  • Sacro-iliac joint (SIJ) Pectineus
  • Other (medical issues including tumours, infeections, STI’s)

But what is the diagnosis?

The reality of diagnosing groin pain entirely accurately is that some form of imaging (Ultrasound, MRI or x-ray depending on your presentation) may be required. This will be a decision your physiotherapist will make and may refer you back to your GP for an onward referral.

Possible diagnoses for groin pain include:

  • Pubic overload
  • Adductor tendinopathy
  • Femoral Acetabulum Impingement (FAI)
  • Hip Osteoarthritis
  • Hip hypermobility
  • Nerve entrapment
  • Glute Medius Tendinopathy
  • Abdominal tendinopathy
  • Inguinal hernia
  • Femoral hernia
  • Inguinal disruption/hernia
  • Arterial occlusion
  • Spinal referred pain
  • Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) related to pregnancy
  • SIJ related pain

Ok – so you get groin pain is complicated!

Therefore you need to know you are getting the best possible care and we are the right people for you.

Treatment For Groin Pain

Once your groin pain source is identified a plan will be made to treat and most likely rehabilitate your injury back to performance.

Treatment for groin pain can involve the following elements:

  • Soft tissue release
  • Active Tissue Release (ART)
  • Instrumented Assisted Soft Tissue Massage
  • Graston release
  • Mobilization
  • Manipulation
  • Trigger point needling
  • Dry Needling
  • PNF stretching
  • Stretching
  • Movement re-education
  • Proprioceptive training
  • Plyometric training
  • Running re-education
  • Hypertrophy training
  • Strength training

More Information About Groin Pain

For more information about groin pain or getting your groin reviewed to understand what the problem really is, please contact Kensington Physio  02076030040 or info@kenphysio.com