When sitting, lying down, after sports… Pain in the groin (between the upper thigh and the lower abdomen) is common. They are not to be neglected because they can be a sign of tendonitis, muscle damage, osteoarthritis, cruralgia…
The groin is located between upper thigh and lower abdomen. If you feel pain in this area, it is prudent to seek medical attention. It could be a urinary tract infection, muscle pain or articular, tendinitis… It is often a common symptom, but it should not be neglected. What are the possible causes of groin pain ? What are symptoms ? The diagnosis ? When and who to consult? How the heal quickly and effectively ? tips with Benjamin Dromson, masseur-physiotherapist.
The groin, or inguinal area, is located between lower abdomen and upper thigh. It is crossed by the femoral arteries and veins, inguinal ganglia, several major nerves (ilioinguinal nerve, iliohypogastric nerve, crural nerve and obturator nerve), as well as two muscles. Pain therefore has several possible causes. Note that inguinal pain is often radiation originating in another part of the body:
- a problem with the hip,
- pain in the vertebrae
- pain in certain organs (stomach, liver, etc.)
Groin pain can manifest in different ways depending on the problem at hand:
- A sensation of small needles or electricity if the pain is of joint origin
- Increased pain on exertion if the pain is of muscular origin
- Increased pain when sitting if the pain is related to cruralgia
- Progressive pain in osteoarthritis of the hip
- Tingling in the upper thighs and legs
- Loss of feeling in the upper thighs
- A limp when walking
→ Frequently, pain in the groin has gastrointestinal, urological origin (cystitis, renal colic) or gynecological (for example, the area is often painful at the end of pregnancy).
→ One muscle trauma, joint or bone, may also explain this pain. This can also come from a pubalgia, a pathology that can affect both amateur and high-level athletes. : it is an inflammation of one of the muscles which come to be inserted on the pubis. “Pubalgia refers to any pathology affecting the tendons that insert into the pelvis, hip or pubisexplains Benjamin Dromson, masseur-physiotherapist. The pain is quite close to a breakdown, and is due to overuse injuries, repeated stresses, too intense.“
→ In other cases, the pain is caused by a bursitis-like inflammationtendinitis, arthritis or by the inflammation of the lymph nodes, in reaction to an infection.
→ One neuralgiasuch as a herniated disc or a sciatica, may also explain this symptom. “The presence of osteoarthritis in the hip can be another possible cause, especially in the elderly.“, adds the specialist.
→ Theinguinal hernia may also be the source of the problem: part of the small intestine has passed through the inguinal canal or the abdominal muscles. It is identified by the presence of a small mass located at the level of the fold of the groin.
Groin pain related to physical exercise is common among athletes who practice a very regular activity. Especially those practicing sports that require running and suddenly change direction (soccer, handball, etc.). We call this pubalgia which is characterized by pain of gradual onset over the area covering the groin, pubis and adductors. It occurs when the person contracts their muscles located in the pubic region. It is caused either by:
- lesion at the insertion of the muscles on the pubic bone
- tendon injury
- injury to the tendon-muscle junction (musculotendinous tear)
The treatment consists of sessions with the physiotherapist as well as the administration of drugs (muscle relaxants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Corticosteroid infiltrations are sometimes prescribed.
The differential diagnosis of groin pain is based on the precise location of the pain in the inguinal region concerned: anterior inguinal region, proximal inguinal region (around the inguinal ligament), symphyseal region (anterior joint of the pelvis), inguinal region internal (around the adductors) or trochanteric region (part of the femur).
“As soon as the pain appears, that it persists, it is recommended to consult a doctor to quickly identify the cause and thus prevent the symptoms from getting worse“, warns Benjamin Dromson. Several clues will make it possible to establish the diagnosis: is the pain felt in motion and/or at rest? Was its onset sudden? The doctor will check in particular if other symptoms of a digestive, gynecological or urological nature are felt in parallel.
In most cases, painkillers (muscle relaxants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are prescribed for pain relief. If the cause is of muscular or neuralgic origin, osteopathy or physiotherapy sessions may be needed. “The exercises of muscle building, guided by a professional, are essential to avoid this type of hassle, recalls Benjamin Dromson. In the case of pubalgia in particular, what is wrong is the musculature at the level of the back of the thighs (the hamstrings), abdominals, adductors, gluteal muscles, or rectus femoris tendon.“Finally, in case of inguinal hernia, a surgical intervention is sometimes considered.
Thanks to Benjamin Dromson, masseur-physiotherapist.