Adductor Related Groin Pain
Image from Harøy et al. 2019 Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-098937
What is adductor related groin pain?
Adductor related groin pain refers to pain that is localised to the adductor tendon/s.
It can include acute and chronic adductor related injuries and be diagnosed as having pain on palpation over the adductor tendon and pain with resisted adductor strength testing (Weir, et. Al. 2015). The adductor longus muscle is the most common adductor muscle implicated (Serner, et. Al. 2015).
Note that other hip/groin injuries present with pain in a similar region, including those in the diagram above & other hip joint pathologies. Your physio can help you accurately diagnosis your injury.
What causes adductor related groin pain?
Risk factors for acute and chronic adductor related groin pain include loading errors and reduced strength of hip adductors.
Recent research has identified that reduction in strength of the adductor musculature has a strong correlation with increased injury risk (esteve, et. Al. 2021). Poor loading parameters have also have been associated with an increased risk of injury.
A simple way to think about adductor injury risk is:
The capacity of the tissue to withstand force/load < load applied = increased injury risk.
Image from Harøy et al. 2019 Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-098937
How can your physio help you with to assist in recovery & prevention of adductor related groin pain?
Acute injuries will require time for natural tissue healing as well as capacity building of the tissue through strengthening programs and manual therapy.
For chronic adductor related groin injuries; the 2 most important treatment modalities include load management and strengthening.
A study published in 2018 by Haroy, et. al. Identified that a simple adductor strengthening program (see above) completed during pre-season and within the season of semi-elite soccer players; resulted in a huge 41% reduction in adductor related groin injuries.
So you have groin pain, what should you do?
Firstly, consult with your physiotherapist to ensure an accurate diagnosis of your injury. Secondly work with your physiotherapist to discuss a load management plan, an exercise/rehab program and manual therapy (soft tissue massage, dry needling, ect).
If you have any other questions regarding groin pain, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
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Email - alanna@korumburrappc.com
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Written by
Alanna Hickey
Owner & Physiotherapist
Korumburra Physiotherapy & Pilates Clinic
References:
Weir, et. al (2015). Doha agreement meeting on terminology and definitions in groin pain in athletes. Br J Sports Med. 2015;5;49:768–774. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2015-094869
Serner A, et. al. Diagnosis of acute groin injuries: A prospective study of 110 athletes. Am J Sports Med. 2015 Aug;43(8):1857-64. doi: 10.1177/0363546515585123.
Harøy J, Clarsen B, Wiger EG, et al. The adductor strengthening programme prevents groin problems among male football players: a cluster-randomised controlled trial. Br J Sports Med. 2019;53:150-157. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-098937
Esteve, et.al. (2021). Past-season, pre-season and in-season risk assessment of groin problems in male football players: a prospective full-season study. Br J Sports Med. 2021 Mar 10:bjsports-2020-102606. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102606.
Ishøi L, Thorborg K. (2021) Copenhagen adduction exercise can increase eccentric strength and mitigate the risk of groin problems: but how much is enough! Br J Sports Med. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-103564