Groin Injuries: Groin Injury Symptoms and Treatment
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Chronic strains are caused by overuse. Acute strains are caused by direct injury or over-stress.

The specific body parts involved are the tendons and muscles of the groin area, including abdominal, pelvic and thigh muscles like the external oblique, Lliac Crest, Gluteus Maximus, Sartorius, Lliopsoas and Pectineus. The bones of the groin area involved are the pelvis, spine and upper leg bone or femur. There are also soft tissues surrounding the strain, including nerves, periosteum (covering of bone), blood vessels and lymph vessels.

The signs and symptoms of a groin strain are: (1) pain in the groin with motion or stretching of the leg at the hip joint, (2) muscle spasms in the abdomen or thigh, (3) swelling in the groin, loss of strength (moderate or severe strain), and (4) calcification of a muscle or its tendon (visible with x-ray). These injuries are generally caused by prolonged overuse of muscle tendon units in the groin or a single violent injury or force applied to the groin muscle-tendon unit.

The risk of sustaining a groin injury increases with contact sports, sports that require quick starts, such as the start of a race. Obesity, poor nutrition, previous groin injuries or poor conditioning also increase the risk. The likelihood of sustaining a groin injury can be decreased by participating in a strengthening, flexibility and conditioning program appropriate for your sport or athletic activity and by properly warming up before practice or competition.

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