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Where is your groin area?
The groin is a part of the hip area that connects the abdominal wall to the inner thigh. The groin area, where the abdomen meets the thigh, contains five muscles that work together to move the leg. Physical activities and sports can sometimes cause pain and discomfort in the groin area. The most common groin injury is a muscle strain, which occurs more frequently in athletes. Groin pain due to a hip problem becomes worse when the hip is flexed. For example, the pain gets aggravated while driving. You may notice some stiffness and decreased motion in the hip. What is groin area pain a symptom of? Groin area pain is most commonly encountered in people involved in sports activities. It is a result of pull to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons in the groin. Groin pain may follow immediately after injury or develop after a certain number of days or weeks. There are other reasons also for pain in the groin area, and some may be specific to men or specific to women. Groin area pain can be a symptom of the following: Pain in the groin area in males may include the following: Groin pain in women may be due to the following:
How does the doctor diagnose the cause of groin area pain? Doctors perform a physical examination of the groin area and check to see if there is any hernia. In men, the doctor will check if there are any problems with the testes. In women, the doctor will evaluate if there is an ovarian twist. They will order tests such as an X-ray and ultrasound to check for conditions such as a hip fracture, testicular torsion, or an ovarian cyst. The doctor may order blood tests if they suspect an infection. What is the treatment for groin area pain? The treatment for groin area pain depends on what's causing the pain. Mild groin pain can be treated at home with simple measures such as applying ice packs for 15 to 20 minutes three to four times a day. Over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help relieve discomfort and pain. Temporarily discontinue athletic activities. You need rest to heal any strains or sprains in your groin area. If the pain in the groin area persists even after following home care for three days, a doctor may order certain tests to identify the cause. They may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications in a pill form or as injectable. If the groin area pain is severe, there may be serious conditions such as a hip fracture for which surgery is required. Testicular torsion is an emergency condition for which emergency surgery is needed. An inguinal hernia will also need to be operated on. If a sprain is the cause of pain in the groin area, the doctor may refer you to a physical therapist who guides and assists you in performing exercises that help improve the mobility of the groin area and help relieve groin pain. When to seek immediate medical help for groin area pain Not every type of pain in the groin area can be treated at home even initially. Some types of groin area pain need urgent medical attention. Seek medical attention if you experience groin area pain that exhibits the following:
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about groin area pain How do you treat nerve pain in the groin and inner thigh?Several nerves pass through the groin area and the inner and outer thighs. These nerves enable muscle function and sensation from the pelvic region to the tip of your toes. Nerve pain in the groin and inner thigh may be caused by damage, pinching, or entrapment to any of these nerves. Common causes of nerve damage or pinching include diabetic neuropathy, hernias, tumors in the pelvic region, trauma or injury to the pelvis, sports injuries, and surgical procedures involving the pelvic region. In addition, pregnancy and childbirth can cause nerve pain in the upper thigh and groin area in females. Treatment for nerve pain in the groin area and inner thigh will depend on what causes the pain. Initial treatment may include avoiding activities that aggravate pain, massage, ice packs or heat pads, physical therapy, and weight loss. The doctor may give you appropriate pain medications. If the groin pain doesn't resolve with these measures, you may require nerve block injections or surgery to release the trapped nerve. What are the red flags for groin pain?Seek immediate medical help in certain cases of groin area pain. Red flags for groin pain include: What can be mistaken for groin pain?The most common reason for groin area pain is a muscle pull or strain, which usually goes away with rest and avoiding activities that worsen the strain. Several other conditions that can be mistaken for groin pain do not actually originate from the groin, some of which include: What causes groin pain without injury?Disorders that can cause groin area pain without injury include: Health News
Medically Reviewed on 11/11/2024 References
Medscape Medical Reference |
