How do I know if my groin pain is serious?

Most cases of groin pain do not require medical attention. However, you should see a doctor if you experience severe, prolonged pain accompanied by fever or swelling. These symptoms may indicate a more serious condition. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and ask about any recent physical activity.

When should I worry about my groin pain?

Seek immediate medical attention if you have:

Groin pain associated with back, abdomen or chest pain. Sudden, severe testicle pain. Testicle pain and swelling accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, chills or blood in the urine.

How can I tell if my groin strain is severe?

Groin pulls are often divided into three degrees of severity:

1. 1st degree: Mild pain, but little loss of strength or movement.
2. 2nd degree: Moderate pain, mild to moderate strength loss and some tissue damage.
3. 3rd degree: Severe pain, severe loss of strength and function due to a complete tear of the muscle.

What does a pulled groin feel like?

Tenderness and pain on the inside of the thigh and groin area. Pain when bringing your legs together. Pain when raising your knee. A snapping or popping feeling at the time of injury that results in severe pain.

Should I go to the ER for groin pain?

A person should see a doctor if groin pain is persistent, severe, or accompanies pain in other body parts, such as the back or testicles. People with groin pain need emergency medical attention if they have any of the following symptoms: nausea. vomiting.

What does a hernia in the groin feel like?

A burning or aching sensation at the bulge. Pain or discomfort in your groin, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting. A heavy or dragging sensation in your groin. Weakness or pressure in your groin.

How do I know if I have a hernia or groin strain?

Feelings of dull aching and pain in the groin area are common for both a muscle strain and a hernia. A key indicator that you may have a hernia, however, is if you have a small bulge or lump on one side of the groin. This is the result of an area of tissue or organ pushing through the groin or abdominal muscle.

How long does it take for groin pull to heal?

With rest and proper treatment, most groin strains heal on their own in about 4–8 weeks. More severe groin strains can take longer. It is very important to let the strain heal fully and get the doctor's OK before going back to activities.

Where is groin pain located?

Groin pain refers to discomfort in the area where the abdomen ends and the legs begin. This article focuses on groin pain in men. The terms "groin" and "testicle" are sometimes used interchangeably. But what causes pain in one area does not always cause pain in the other.

What helps a pulled groin heal faster?

Cryotherapy. Cryotherapy, or cold therapy, is a proven method for reducing pain and inflammation in the soft tissues. Cold reduces inflammation, which can help with pain and support a quicker recovery. In fact, the faster you can apply cold to the injured area, the quicker your groin strain recovery may be.

Can a torn groin muscle heal on its own?

Torn groin injuries can heal on their own given time and rest. To assist with treatment and pain management, try: Ice: Ice the inside of the thigh. This will reduce pain and swelling, which can speed up recovery.

Why is my groin pain getting worse?

However, recurrent episodes of groin pain, or pain that gets worse over time, might be the result of an underlying hip problem. Ryan Nunley, MD, Washington University orthopedist, explains, “Groin pain that comes from the hip typically develops slowly over time – without a specific injury or trauma.

What kind of doctor should I see for groin pain?

Call your primary care provider when you have persistent groin pain. Some insurance companies may require a referral from your primary doctor for a specialist, such as a sports medicine doctor, orthopedist or urologist. Your doctor can also prescribe physical therapy.

How do I get rid of groin pain?

If the pain is so severe that cold therapy cannot sufficiently dull it, your doctor might recommend temporarily taking an over-the-counter pain medication to help reduce pain and swelling during your pulled groin muscle recovery.
...
Additional Pulled Groin Muscle Treatment Ideas

1. Rest.
2. Ice.
3. Compression.
4. Elevation.

Why does groin pain come and go?

The most common cause of groin pain is a muscle, tendon or ligament strain, particularly in athletes who play sports such as hockey, soccer and football. Groin pain might occur immediately after an injury, or pain might come on gradually over a period of weeks or even months.

Is walking good for groin strain?

Immediately following your consultation, your physical therapist may advise you to: Rest the area by avoiding walking or any activity that causes pain. Crutches may be recommended to reduce further strain on the muscles when walking. Apply ice packs to the area for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours.

What are the warning signs of a hernia?

Signs and Symptoms of a Hernia

• An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin. ...
• A heavy feeling in the abdomen that sometimes comes with constipation or blood in the stool.
• Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over.
• A burning or aching sensation at the bulge.

What can be mistaken for a groin hernia?

Femoral hernias occur when a bit of tissue bulges through the lower belly and into the upper thigh, in the area just below the groin crease. Femoral hernias are sometimes mistaken for inguinal hernias because they occur in a nearby location.

What happens if a groin hernia is left untreated?

If hernia is left untreated, the size of protruding intestine might get bigger and become strangulated leading to the reduction of blood flow to surrounding tissue.

When is a hernia an emergency?

Strangulated hernias, where the tissue stuck in the hernia defect starts to lose blood flow, is an emergency of the highest order. Whether it is intestinal or fat tissue, the contents of the hernia can begin to die within hours of being strangulated.

What disease causes groin pain?

An inguinal hernia occurs when internal tissues of the abdomen push through a weak spot in the groin muscles. This can create a bulging lump in your groin area and cause pain. Kidney stones (small, hard mineral deposits in the kidneys and bladder) or bone fractures can cause groin pain as well.

Should I go to the ER for groin pain female?

Go to the emergency room if you develop any of the following warning signs of a bowel obstruction or an incarcerated or strangulated groin hernia: Severe abdominal or groin pain that gets worse – not better.

How do doctors diagnose a groin injury?

X-ray or ultrasound are typically used initially, based on the doctor's probable suspected diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently necessary to diagnose soft tissue groin injuries and some stress fractures.

Can a groin strain last for months?

Groin strains are not usually severe, but they may take a long time to heal depending on the degree of injury. Severe grade 3 groin strains can take over 4 months to heal. With appropriate care and treatment, your symptoms will get better over time.

Can sitting down too much cause groin pain?

And if you're sitting for 2-3 hours at a time this may lead to a bit of stiffness when you eventually do stand up and go for a walk, or may even lead to some pinching in the groin or hip when you go outside for a longer walk.