had similar - although on both sides, left side for 7 years and right for 2 !!! Turned out that it was a hernia of sorts...

Right side was a 'normal' inguinal hernia although only a very minor bulge during the last 6 months or so and left side was a 'sports hernia' or 'sportsmans groin' or 'occult hernia' depending on who you speak to. Basically a weakening of the abdominal wall causing pressure and pain but no bulge.

Reason for the pain that can also travel into the leg, knee, hip and back is that in the inguinal canal there are a bunch of nerves that supply sensation to these areas, or are supplied from these areas. Inner thigh pain is most likely the genitofemoral nerve being compressed.

Is the pain less intense in the morning but gets worse with activity?