Groin Problems and Injuries

You may have had a minor groin problem at one time or another. Most of the time our body movements do not cause problems. It's not surprising that symptoms may develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or an injury.

The Reference groin areas Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window are located on each side of the body in the folds where the belly joins the legs. The pubic area lies between the two groin areas.

Groin injuries most commonly occur during:

• Sports or recreational activities, such as ice hockey, cross-country skiing, basketball, and soccer.
• Work-related activities.
• Work or projects around the home.
• Motor vehicle accidents.

Groin problems and injuries can cause pain and concern. Most minor problems or injuries will heal on their own. Home treatment is usually all that is needed to relieve symptoms and heal.

Groin injury

An Reference acute injury may occur from a direct blow, a stabbing injury, a fall, or from the leg being turned in an abnormal position.

Reference Overuse injuries occur when too much stress is placed on an area. This often happens when you overdo an activity or repeat the same activity day after day. Overuse can lead to muscle strains or tears or may cause swelling, such as Reference bursitis Opens New Window.

Other causes of groin problems

Groin pain not caused by an injury to the groin may be coming from other parts of the body. This is called radiating, or referred, pain. Reference Pulled muscles Opens New Window, Reference ligaments Opens New Window, or Reference tendons Opens New Window in the leg may cause symptoms in the groin. It is important to look for Reference other causes of groin pain when you have not had an injury.

An Reference inguinal hernia Opens New Window is a bulge of soft tissue through a weak spot in the abdominal wall in the groin area.See a picture of an Reference inguinal hernia Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window. An inguinal hernia may need surgical treatment. A Reference sports hernia may affect the same area of the groin in competitive athletes.

Rashes

Rashes in the groin area have Reference many causes, such as Reference ringworm Opens New Window or Reference yeast. Most rashes can be treated at home.

Groin symptoms in children

When a child develops groin pain, the pain may be caused by a problem with the upper part of the thighbone (head of the femur) or the hip. Common causes of groin pain, knee pain (referred pain from the hip), or limping include:

• Reference Legg-Calve-Perthes disease Opens New Window. This condition affects the blood supply and proper placement of the head of the femur in the hip socket.
• Reference Slipped capital femoral epiphysis Opens New Window. This condition occurs when the femur slips at the growth plate (physis) and does not fit in the hip socket correctly.
• Reference Developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH). This condition is caused by abnormal development of the hip joint. The femur may fit loosely into the hip socket (subluxation) or be completely out of the hip socket.
• Swelling (inflammation) of the lining of the joint space of the hip (Reference toxic synovitis Opens New Window).
• Reference Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This disease causes inflamed, swollen, stiff, and often painful joints.
• Reference Infectious arthritis Opens New Window (septic arthritis). This is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection inside the hip joint.

Reference Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.