Inguinal strain is one of the most common traumas among sportsmen, although it can also affect those who exercise little and maybe even at low intensity. It is generally related to stimulations and stresses on the lower limbs and it is for this reason that among sportspeople those who suffer the most are typically runners, footballers and cyclists.
Recognizing this disorder from symptoms is not always easy, just as it is not easy to treat it, and it is precisely for this reason that we have put together a guide that can help you in the whole process of overcoming inguinal muscle strain, i.e. from diagnosis to complete recovery. . We are sure that with the right approach and the right precautions irecovery times will be drastically reduced.
In another article we also explored the general condition of groin pain and its causes . I invite you to read it if you want to deepen the subject.
First fundamental rule: it is necessary to stop physical activity
At the opening it is necessary to remember that even if the problem we are talking about is not extremely serious, it becomes important to stop any type of physical activity , especially if it affects the lower limbs, in order to avoid a aggravation of the condition that hit us.
Even before going to the doctor or physiotherapist, in case we suspect a groin strain, it is always better to suspend any type of activity as a precaution.
What is inguinal muscle strain
The inguinal muscle strain is a disorder that is caused by the elongation of the muscle fibers of the area in question, an elongation that unfortunately alters the tone of the same fibers, often causing injury. It is a problem that is generally considered to be of medium magnitude, less severe than the tear and more severe than the contracture.
Inguinal strain typically involves all 5 adductor muscles, often asymmetrically, meaning that some of the muscles will be affected to a greater extent by the problem.
Typically, the stretching of these muscles is not able to completely prevent movement, even if even light loads can be responsible for acute pains that radiate up to the lower abdomen in the presence of the condition.
In the most serious cases, the pain can affect the person who is affected even when he is simply standing, or when he sits down.
What are the causes of inguinal strain?
The causes can be different, even if all or almost all of them can be traced back to incorrect postures and efforts. Stretching is very common if you have not warmed up enough before training.
In addition to the lack of warming, groin strain can also be caused byunnatural movements , even if of short duration and intensity, as well as from microtraumas that accumulate over time, especially in the case of sports activities with strong strain on the legs.
Since the causes are all attributable to incorrect activity, it is always advisable to stop any type of sporting activity at the first warning of pain.
What are the symptoms ?
Groin strainand relatively easy to spot. Typically it presents with pain that starts from the adductor muscles in the groin area and can radiate upward to the lower abdomen and pubis. The pain is sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heat, which radiates with each movement of the lower limb and pelvis area.
The moment in which it occurs is also important: it is usually felt with a stabbing pain , which very closely resembles that of other strains in the lower limbs, such as for example the strain in the calf or even the one that affects the thigh.
The different degrees of inguinal stretch
The inguinal stretchit is cataloged in three different degrees, which indicate its severity and can also point towards the right path of recovery.
1st Degree : the slightest of lesions. It occurs when the muscle fiber is 25% damaged. In this case, the discomfort is usually localized in the groin and inner thigh. It is particularly dangerous because often one does not even notice the extent of the damage. Muscles appear, once stopped, as contracted. Even if the hassles are minimal, you still need to stop.
II ° Degree: lesion that can reach up to 90% of the tissue. In this case, the damage suffered is usually noticed very early, even before stopping physical activity. It presents with particularly acute pain, affecting the adductor muscles. It may have swelling and bruising, which are particularly visible in the following days. The muscle is weak and it becomes very difficult to exercise, even if it is very light.
III ° Degree : the most serious degree, which affects the muscle 100%. There is a tear as well as a breakdown of the muscle tissue. The suffering is immediate and very acute. It becomes impossible to continue with the training, just as it becomes impossible to walk or do any type of movement without experiencing very intense pain.
The RICE protocol as a treatment for stretching
It becomes very important in the case of inguinal strain to resort to the RICE treatment , a specific protocol for muscle injuries in general and which is also well suited to the case of inguinal strains.
The RICE protocol provides:
- Rest : or rest, which must be started immediately we will notice the damage suffered;
- Ice : or ice. It becomes particularly important to subject the whole area to ice packs, which are able to stop the processes triggered by the muscle injury;
- Compression : also the compression of the area serves to interrupt the processes that can aggravate the damage;
- Elevation , or elevation. To reduce edema and reduce circulation in the limb itself.
The RICE protocol, in particular, is important as it is able to decrease blood flow in the entire affected area, also reducing the formation of collagen.
How to cure an inguinal strain
The first step to healing is absolute and total rest, which must extend for at least 4 weeks following the injury. The doctor may additionally prescribe both anti-inflammatory drugs and myo-relaxing drugs, which can assist in the healing process.
In cases of intensity II and III it may also be necessary to resort to some physiotherapy session, through rehabilitation gymnastics.
It is worth remembering that on the one hand it is necessary to consult a doctor to identify the most suitable drugs for the treatment of the strain(they are not actually curative drugs, but rather drugs that can help overcome the pain), as well as the physiotherapist for rehabilitation gymnastics, since he is the only professional able to organize a recovery plan and limit the movements that they could be detrimental to muscle recovery.
The cases in which we proceed with tens electrostimulation are rare, as it becomes very difficult to stimulate the muscles that insist on the groin in the correct way.
Furthermore, the healing process can be integrated by resorting to massage sessions.
There are natural remedies to heal a groin strain
Yes, even if they cannot do much for the recovery of muscle function. However, you can help yourself by introducing foods with anti-inflammatory power into the diet, and with Aloe vera gel packs, which can help reduce pain, especially in periods when it becomes more intense.
You can also use natural pain relievers and muscle relaxants to reduce the pain associated with this condition. To learn more about the subject, I invite you to read our two guides dedicated to this type of remedies:
- Natural pain relievers ;
- Natural muscle relaxants .
Prevention is equally important
It is also worth remembering that this type of injury often affects those who play sports with inadequate equipment or straining the groin muscles incorrectly. The physiotherapist can be very important in identifying postural exercises that allow you to continue to carry out sporting activities without the danger of the problem recurring.
In the event that the problem should occur with a certain frequency, it is good to consider with the physiotherapist the possibility of changing the type of sporting activity.
The recovery times from the inguinal stretch
The inguinal stretch has variable recovery times, ranging from 3 to 6 weeks. With specific programs they can be slightly shortened, although unfortunately not by much.
Typically it is necessary to rest at least 4 weeks, rest which must be absolute and which must also affect the mildest physical activities that we are used to doing.
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