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Coping With Groin Injuries

14th October, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

There are dozens of different possibilities for groin pain.

For athletes, pain in the groin usually means damage to muscles, ligaments or tendons in the vicinity where the legs meet the hips. A “groin pull” is a fairly common sports injury that occurs when the muscles of the upper inner thigh (known to doctors and physical therapists as the adductors) are overextended or stretched beyond their usual capabilities.

If you have a groin pull, you generally remember when and how it happened. Pain in the groin area is the most obvious symptom, although some swelling may also take place .

Treatment of this type of pain is fairly simple: put some ice on it and rest. Compression is also helpful, as is elevating the leg in which the pull has taken place. Any number of pain relievers, both over-the-counter and prescription, may be recommended by your health care provider .

In addition to an adductor injury, pain in the groin area may be a symptom of some other type of disease. Possibilities include the following.

Hernia – This occurs when part of the body pushes its way through a tear or opening in a different part near it. This happens most frequently when part of the intestine bulges through an opening in the abdominal wall. A hernia can cause groin pain. Other symptoms of a hernia include swelling, nausea and vomiting.

Soft tissue injuries – Tendons, ligaments and muscles in the lower abdominal wall can be injured or stretched too much. This is most likely to take place during vigorous physical activity or athletic competition.

Swollen lymph nodes near the groin – When this happens, it causes discomfort in the groin and is often a sign of a sexually transmitted disease.

Cancer of the testicles – This topic has received a lot of attention the last few years because of Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. Armstrong not only survived testicular cancer, but he has become of the most celebrated athletes on the planet. This fact should not fool anyone into thinking, however, that testicular cancer is not dangerous .

Groin pain, lumps and swelling of the testicles may be symptoms of testicular cancer.

Referred pain – When a problem arises with the lower back, the pain may travel along nerve pathways to other areas of the body, including the groin. Symptoms of referred pain from spinal problems sometimes include numbness, burning or stinging sensations, or a “pins and needles” feeling.

Kidney stones – Pain from kidney stones often starts in the “flank” area, midway down the back and slightly to either side. But pain from kidney stones can also find its way down into the groin. If you’re experiencing severe/stabbing/extreme pain in the mid-back which crosses down around abdominal area and into the groin, it’s probably because of a kidney stone.

Orchitis – this problem causes the testicles to become inflamed and painful. Typically, it’s an infection caused either by viruses or bacteria. Orchitis is a serious condition and it’s important to receive medical attention as soon as you can.

Click on groin injury causes, what causes a groin pull and groin pain in woman for more information on related Issues. Neal Kennedy is a former TV and radio journalist.