Medicine
Fact-checked

At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How do I Treat a Groin Muscle Tear?

Meshell Powell
Meshell Powell

The groin muscles consist of a group of muscles that travel from the inner portion of the pelvis to the thigh bone. When a groin muscle tears, usually as a result of strenuous exercise, extreme pain can result. Depending on the extent of the injury, treatment for a muscle tear in the groin can include gentle exercise, medication, or the application of ice or heat to the affected area. In extreme cases, surgical intervention may become necessary.

The most important form of treatment for a groin muscle tear is to avoid any type of activity that may make the pain or discomfort worse. The muscle will typically repair itself if rested properly. Over-the-counter pain medications may be used to help lessen the pain while healing. If necessary, a doctor will often prescribe stronger medications in order to keep the patient as comfortable as possible during the healing process.

An ice pack, which can help with pain from a groin muscle tear.
An ice pack, which can help with pain from a groin muscle tear.

Gentle stretching exercises may be suggested by the doctor during the healing process. However, if stretching the muscles causes pain, the exercises should be discontinued until they can be done more comfortably. It is important to obtain medical advice before beginning any kind of stretching exercises when a groin muscle tear is present in case the damage is severe enough for a more aggressive type of treatment.

Pain medications can help lessen the pain of a groin tear.
Pain medications can help lessen the pain of a groin tear.

Many patients with a groin muscle tear find some degree of pain relief by applying an ice pack to the affected site within the first 48 hours of the injury. After the initial 48 hours, ice can be applied after any kind of physical activity. This often helps to alleviate some of the inflammation or swelling involving the muscles as well as the surrounding nerves and tissues.

Stretching exercises may help prevent a groin muscle tear.
Stretching exercises may help prevent a groin muscle tear.

Once the initial inflammation is under control, heat is often used to treat a groin muscle tear. Applying a heating pad to the affected area before physical activity can help to loosen the muscles, making normal activities more comfortable during the healing process. The important thing to remember is to use heat before any type of physical activity and ice afterward.

Surgical intervention may be required to treat a groin muscle tear.
Surgical intervention may be required to treat a groin muscle tear.

If the tear is severe or does not respond to more conventional treatment methods, surgery may be a viable option for some patients. Surgical intervention is not often necessary for this type of injury, but it does become necessary in extreme cases. In this operation, the surgeon will work to repair the damaged muscles as well as any nerves or surrounding tissues that may have been damaged as a result of the injury.

Discussion Comments

anon357641

I tore mine over two weeks ago and am just starting PT (physical therapy) for it. They wanted me to start PT right away but I waited because I didn't want to tear it further.

I got 10 days of RX meds for pain and inflammation, but they won't refill, so it's just plenty of Ibuprofen each day now. It still hurts to walk and hurts a lot if I move it at certain angles. It feels uncomfortable when I'm doing the stretches, but they insist it needs physical therapy to heal. I really hope it doesn't turn out to be more serious and needing surgery!

fify

@burcidi-- Wow, if it took that long for yours to heal, it must have been a serious tear. I pulled a groin muscle too but I was pain free in about a week. Ice and some pain relieving medication was all it took.

burcidi

@MikeMason-- I don't know about physical therapy but I do know that you are supposed to avoid exercise as long as you have pain. Otherwise, things will get worse.

I think you should continue with the RICE treatment. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation.

When I tore my groin muscle, I applied ice, wrapped it with compression wrap, elevated my legs and rested as much as I could. It took about five weeks for my pain to be completely gone and I didn't do any exercise during this time. I did do some light massage and stretching the last couple of weeks because it didn't hurt to do so.

Whatever you do, listen to your body and when there is groin pain, stop. If you don't let the muscle heal properly, you can tear it again.

stoneMason

Is physical therapy available for groin injuries?

I tore my groin muscle and the doctor told me to rest and apply ice. I have been doing this for almost three weeks now and I still have a lot of pain. I'm wondering if physical therapy will quicken healing?

Has anyone had physical therapy for a groin muscle tear?

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • An ice pack, which can help with pain from a groin muscle tear.
      By: Marc Dietrich
      An ice pack, which can help with pain from a groin muscle tear.
    • Pain medications can help lessen the pain of a groin tear.
      By: Gabriel Blaj
      Pain medications can help lessen the pain of a groin tear.
    • Stretching exercises may help prevent a groin muscle tear.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Stretching exercises may help prevent a groin muscle tear.
    • Surgical intervention may be required to treat a groin muscle tear.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Surgical intervention may be required to treat a groin muscle tear.
    • A groin muscle tear may occur as a result of a sports-related activity.
      By: Irina Igumnova
      A groin muscle tear may occur as a result of a sports-related activity.
    • If stretching the muscles causes pain, the exercises should be discontinued until they can be done more comfortably.
      By: astrosystem
      If stretching the muscles causes pain, the exercises should be discontinued until they can be done more comfortably.
    • An electric heating pad can help treat groin muscle tear.
      By: nito
      An electric heating pad can help treat groin muscle tear.
    • A pulled or strained groin generally involves the gracilis muscle.
      By: high_resolution
      A pulled or strained groin generally involves the gracilis muscle.