Groin tendonitis

A tendonitis in the groin is a condition at the transition between the muscles and the bone. We call this transition the tendon. An abundance of hip movements can lead to small tears in the tendon. These tears cause the characteristic pain and stiffness. Recovery from tendonitis is delayed because tendons contain hardly any blood vessels and can therefore only absorb healing substances to a limited extent.

The groin is a region where large muscles from the thigh and the abdominal muscles come together. A muscle group in the groin region that is relatively often inflamed consists of the adductors. These muscles have a joint function of moving the leg inward. They are also very important for providing balance when standing and walking.

How does tendonitis in the groin arise?

Tendonitis in the groin is almost always the result of overuse. This overuse can occur suddenly (acutely), where a single movement with too great a tensile load causes damage to the tendon. However, in practice, it is much more often the result of prolonged (chronic) overuse of the tendon. This occurs when you make the same movements for too long, too often, or too intensively.

Sports in which tendonitis in the groin occurs relatively often include skating, cycling, athletics, and soccer. Other risk factors that may contribute to the onset or persistence of groin complaints are (congenital) malalignment, such as a leg length difference, or a general imbalance between surrounding muscle groups.

What are the symptoms of tendonitis in the groin?

Characteristic of tendonitis in the groin is pain that occurs when walking or standing on one leg. This pain can also be provoked when pressing the legs together, which contracts the adductors. Another symptom is stiffness in the groin region, especially when getting up in the morning or after a period of rest.

How is tendonitis in the groin diagnosed (diagnosed)?

To map out the symptoms, the primary care physician or physical therapist will perform a physical examination. This, supplemented with a number of specific tests, will likely provide sufficient information to determine tendonitis in the groin. When making the diagnosis, it is important to distinguish between different forms of groin pain.

If in doubt, the physician may choose to have imaging performed at the hospital. An röntgenfoto (X-ray) will most likely be sufficient.

How is tendonitis in the groin treated?

In treating tendonitis in the groin, it is important first to have a good picture of the cause. The first treatment advice, as always with tendonitis, is graded rest and, where possible, cooling of the painful area.

With a chronic imbalance in surrounding muscle groups, it is extremely important to pay attention to this as well. Think of exercise therapy to better balance the abdominal muscles, back muscles, and thighs. A treatment program under the guidance of a physical therapist is certainly recommended.

The physical therapist can, where necessary, also apply other treatment interventions in addition to exercise therapy, such as shockwave, deep transverse frictions, and taping.