Adductor Muscle Strain

What is Adductor Muscle Strain

Adductor muscle strain, also called a groin strain or pull, is an injury to the muscles or tendon on the upper inner part of the thigh. These muscles are called the adductor muscles or groin muscles. They are responsible for moving the leg across the body or pulling the legs together. A muscle strain occurs when a muscle is overstretched and some muscle fibers are torn. An adductor muscle strain can range from mild to severe, depending on how many muscle fibers are affected and whether the muscle fibers are partially or completely torn.

Adductor muscle strains usually occur during exercise or participation in sports. The injury often happens when a sudden, violent force is placed on a muscle, stretching the muscle too far. A strain is more likely to occur when your muscles are not warmed up or if you are not properly conditioned. Depending on the severity of the muscle strain, recovery time may vary from a few weeks to several weeks. Severe injuries often require 4–6 weeks for recovery. In those cases, complete healing can take 4–5 months.

What are the causes?

This injury may be caused by:

• Stretching the adductor muscles too far or too suddenly, often during side-to-side motion with an abrupt change in direction.
• Putting repeated stress on the adductor muscles over a long period of time.
• Performing vigorous activity without properly stretching the adductor muscles beforehand.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Pain and tenderness in the groin area. This begins as sharp pain and persists as a dull ache.
• A popping or snapping feeling when the injury occurs (for severe strains).
• Swelling or bruising.
• Muscle spasms.
• Weakness in the leg.
• Stiffness in the groin area with decreased ability to move the affected muscles.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on your symptoms, your description of how the injury occurred, and a physical exam. X-rays are sometimes needed to rule out a broken bone or cartilage problems. A CT scan or MRI may be done if your health care provider suspects a complete muscle tear or needs to check for other injuries.

How is this treated?

An adductor strain will often heal on its own. Typically, treatment will involve protecting the injured area, rest, ice, pressure (compression), and elevation. This is often called PRICE therapy. Your health care provider may also prescribe medicines to help manage pain and swelling (anti-inflammatory medicine). You may be told to use crutches for the first few days to minimize your pain.

Follow these instructions at home:

PRICE Therapy

• Protect the muscle from being injured again.
• Rest. Do notuse the strained muscle if it causes pain.
• If directed, apply ice to the injured area:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day. Do this for the first 2 days after the injury.
• Apply compression by wrapping the injured area with an elastic bandage as told by your health care provider.
• Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Walk, stretch, and do exercises as told by your health care provider. Only do these activities if you can do so without any pain.

How is this prevented?

• Warm up and stretch before being active.
• Cool down and stretch after being active.
• Give your body time to rest between periods of activity.
• Make sure to use equipment that fits you.
• Be safe and responsible while being active to avoid slips and falls.
• Maintain physical fitness, including:
  • Proper conditioning in the adductor muscles.
  • Overall strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have increased pain or swelling in the affected area.
• Your symptoms are not improving or they are getting worse.

Adductor Muscle Strain – Rehabilitation

Ask your health care provider which exercises are safe for you. Do exercises exactly as told by your health care provider and adjust them as directed. It is normal to feel mild stretching, pulling, tightness, or discomfort as you do these exercises, but you should stop right away if you feel sudden pain or your pain gets worse.  Do notbegin these exercises until told by your health care provider.

Strengthening exercises

These exercises build strength and endurance in your thigh. Endurance is the ability to use your muscles for a long time, even after your muscles get tired.

Exercise A: Hip adductor isometrics

1. Sit on a firm chair that positions your knees at about the same height as your hips.
2. Place a large ball, firm pillow, or rolled-up bath towel between your thighs.
3. Squeeze your thighs together, gradually building tension.
4. Hold for __________ seconds.
5. Release the tension gradually. Allow your inner thigh muscles to relax completely before you start the next repetition.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise B: Straight leg raises(hip adductors)

1. Lie on your side so your head, shoulder, knee, and hip are in a straight line with each other. To help maintain your balance, you may put the foot of your top leg in front of the leg that is on the floor. Your left / right leg should be on the bottom.
2. Roll your hips slightly forward so your hips are stacked directly over each other and your left / right knee is facing forward.
3. Tense the muscles of your inner thigh and lift your bottom leg 4–6 inches (10–15 cm).
4. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
5. Slowly lower your leg to the starting position.
6. Allow the muscles to relax completely before you start the next repetition.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise C: Straight leg raises (hip extensors)

1. Lie on your belly on a bed or a firm surface with a pillow under your hips.
2. Tense your buttock muscles and lift your left / right thigh off the bed. Your left / right knee can be bent or straight, but do not let your back arch.
3. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
4. Slowly return to the starting position.
5. Allow your muscles to relax completely before you start the next repetition.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Balance exercises

These exercises improve or maintain your balance. Balance is important in preventing falls.

Exercise D: Single-leg balance

1. Stand near a railing or in a door frame that you can hold onto as needed.
2. Stand on your left / right foot. Keep your big toe down on the floor and try to keep your arch lifted.
3. If this is too easy, you can stand with your eyes closed or stand on a pillow.
4. Hold this position for __________ seconds.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise E: Side lunges

1. Stand with your feet together.
2. Keeping one foot in place, step to the side with your other foot about __________ inches (__________ cm). Do notstep so far that you feel discomfort.
3. Push off from your stepping foot to return to the starting position.

Repeat __________ times on each leg. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.