Groin/Inner Thigh Strain

RickS

About 6-8 weeks ago I incured a groin/inner thigh strain while running. It appeared to heal and I began running easy after about 5-7 days. The pain came on sharply after I stepped to the side for someone to pass by while running at EP; it was sharp and painful. I had no (or minimal) pain when walking/riding or swimming, but running was a problem. After a week, and one prior failed attempt, I began running again. I started very at EP and allowed pain to be my barometer for intensity, volume and frequency over the next week or so. I appeared to be 100% and even had a few PR's, but earlier this week it happened again (same leg). I had finished 2 TP intervals and was just beginning my 3rd when I got that sharp pain again and had to walk back to my office. Does anyone have any experience with such inner thigh/groin issues and does anyone have any remedies? Thanks.

Daniela

That sounds similar to what I went through for about 2.5 years. I never fully let it heal and it kept coming back. I switched PT's after about a year, which helped. The first PT treated the symptoms and the second PT treated the cause. Pretty much came down to core strength. I've worked a LOT on my core and it hasn't come back in the last 2 years.

It started with a pain that I ignored because it went away after a few blocks. It got a bit worse, and then one day I stepped off a curb oddly and I could barely walk the rest of the day. It got better where I could walk without pain. Biking and swimming were never issues. I could tell within a few running steps if it was still there.

cgres123

Question .. if you were to do a split is the area very Very high towards the junk but slightly towars the rear.Do feel something popping out or can you just feel it smooth like ? Is there any brusing ?

RickS

Sorry, I ask this question and then wasn't able to get back online for a day. Thanks for responding David and Daniela.
What specific core strength exercises were you doing?
The pain I'm experiencing is very high in the crotch (toward the junk); any thoughts?

cgres123

well Richard you still did not answer the questions that I posted. if you have a lump chances are you have a hernia and with that you will need to see your doctor. if you have bruising without a lump chances are you may have strained a muscle perhaps a slight tear. my thoughts on this would be to soak in the tub using epson salt. I would also include taking curcumin perhaps 2 to 3 * a day . take yourself a few days off if you need to run go running in a pool. for about a week I would substitute running for biking maintaining about 90 for a cadence. after all that ease back into running slow no hills. take it easy on yourself you fix this now you will have a good out season. good luck and welcome to the team

RickS

I'm sorry, I was referring to pain. I don't have a lump.

RickS

I don't have any bruising either.

Daniela

I had no lump or bruising. My pain was on the inner thigh from where it meets my pelvis down about halfway to my knee. It was a sharp, shooting pain.

My main exercises were for my glutes. One was to lay on my side and lift my leg towards the ceiling. I would also adjust my top leg back about 45 degrees and lift. Another exercise was on all 4's and lifting my leg (like a dog peeing).

For abs, I did standard crunches working on good form (tilting the hips in a little and making sure I was engaging the right stomach muscles).

A few odd things about the 2.5 years I went through the injury...sometimes it would go away and then appear on the other side. Also, it would sometimes magically disappear for races. I read an article in Runners World about some injuries being mostly in your head. The article made me question things a bit...

RickS

That's interesting, the first time I strained the groin it did disappear before a race. Perhaps not suddenly, but it stayed well for 2 races and the reoccurred upon seasons end.