Bryan Christie

Injury Tip Sheet: Adductor Strain

Learn what you need to know about adductor strains

Kathy Weber, M.D., M.S.
Daphne R. Scott, PT, Dsc
Chicago, IL

Fast facts

• Muscle strains are the most common sports injury in the United States
• Groin strains represent about 10% of all hockey injuries
• 10%-20% of all soccer injuries involve the groin
• Sometimes referred to as a “pulled groin”

What you need to know

What is an adductor strain?

• The adductor muscle group is a group of five different muscles in the back, hip, and thigh.  The essential function of these muscles is to pull the legs together and stabilize the knee and pelvis.
• A groin strain is most often a result of a tear or strain to the major inner thigh muscle, the adductor longus

Signs & symptoms

• Minor strains will induce pain and stiffness in the morning or at the onset of activity
• Pain and tenderness in the groin/inner thigh area
• Difficulty raising the leg or flexing the hip 
• Pain when walking or changing directions quickly such as pivoting or cutting
• Severe strains will have swelling and/or bruising at the site of injury

When should I see a doctor or other professional?

• You should see a doctor if the pain keeps you from your normal routine
• You develop a rash or severe redness and bruising at the injury site
• If pain does not improve after two or three weeks of self-treatment

Causes

• Intense side-to-side motion that overstretches the muscle
• Sudden changes in direction or speed when running
• Poor technical mechanics or inadequate warm-ups prior to exercise

Risk factors

• Sports that require extensive side to side action such as soccer, hockey, and football have a higher groin injury rate
• People with a history of groin injuries or people recovering from a groin injury are more likely to have a recurrence
• People with muscle imbalances or tight muscles are more likely to overstretch or tear their adductor muscle

What you can do

Prevention

• Always stretch and warm up prior to exercising to loosen muscles
• Ensure that you have allowed any previous groin  injury to heal properly, to avoid a recurrence or worsening of the injury
• Always increase your workout intensity slowly over a period of weeks  to avoid overusing the muscles

Recommendations for treatment and rehab

• Treatment for a strain involves active, pain-free rest, icing.
• An anti-inflammatory may be prescribed by your physician to reduce swelling and control pain
• A physician may refer you to Physical Therapy if warranted to address pain, swelling, decreased strength, flexibility and muscle imbalances.
• Most strains, if properly treated, typically heal in 4 to 6 weeks

What can I do to stay active?

• Participate in pain free activities only
• Pain-free activity such as cycling, elliptical trainer, swimming or circuit weight training without lower extremity exercise may be tolerated.  Avoid all activity  that causes any symptoms .

Related posts:

• Injury Tip Sheet: Hamstring Strain
• Injury Tip Sheet: Calf Strain
• Injury Tip Sheet: Back Sprains and Strains
• Injury Tip Sheet: Patellar Tendinitis
• Injury Tip Sheet: Annular Tears