Groin injury

Apologies first of all if this is in the wrong place.

It will be 10 weeks on Sunday since I injured my groin playing football and although im not in any particular discomfort whilst performing every day activities, i am absolutely nowhere near fit enough to resume playing.

Brief history:

Im 35 years old but still attempting to play local league football. No history whatsoever of groin injuries. Around three weeks before the main injury i noticed tenderness on the inside of my left groin very high uo into the groin area; more worrying than that though late on in matches i was experiencing a tremendous tightening/pressing sensation on the front wall of the lower abdomen (both sides). I actually said to some of the team mates that i was on the way to my first hernia but continued to play as we were short of players.

The main injury occured when i was tackled with the ball and my left leg was basically pushed outewards from my body. I definitely felt a tear from the groin area up into the abdomen. It is probably the most painful thing i have ever done, including breaks, and for the following 2 weeks i basically had no power inn the left leg - i had to phsically pick my leg up to get in the car etc.

The pain has subsided but i'm still nowhere near fit to play!

I can feel no lump and there has been no real swelling or noticeable bruising.

Ive looked on the internet and perhaps it could be an adductor longus injury???

Any advice on the way forward would be much appreciated - cos at my age if i dont get back playing soon i dont think i ever will!

cheers

mike

hi luddite71

There are so many different things in the groin area which can be injured. the region is so complex that it is really nesessary to investigate this area carefully. One of my patients and team mates (team handball) got a groin injury about 7 month ago. I told him to stop playing but he ignored my advice. 2 month later he wasnt able to do any kind of sport. He did a really soft rehab for the last 4 month and on tuesday this week we started with sport specific movements. Hopefully he will be back in 2 month.
So you see groin injuries are really serious injuries and you should consult a really GOOD sports physician or sports physio to sort out your problems and to get adequate treatment. It definetely needs time, soft strengthing and stretching. Maybe NSAIDs are necessary.
so all the best and good luck

thanks for your input wutti

Hi,

It doesn't sound like a simple groin strain but something a bit more.

I agree with Wutti - get it checked out. Make sure when you do, they check out your pubic symphysis, SIJs, L/S and hips - no power in your legs can be from nerve damage, muscle damage or a co-ordination problem resulting in poor loading of the forces thru your joints.

Good luck!

couldn't agree more with the others- i still find it suprising that patients experience these type of symptoms yet don't have them investigated.
Best wishes
Laura