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Physiotherapy groin injuries

Groin injuries occur regularly in athletes both at the amateur level and professional athletes. It is a common problem that can not only be annoying during all daily activities but can also negatively affect your performance on the field.

We see that groin problems are particularly common in individuals who play team sports such as soccer, field hockey or rugby. These sports involve a lot of direction changes at high speed during the game. This increases the likelihood of a muscle injury. In this blog, we will go in depth about everything you need to know about a groin injury. We will discuss the different types of groin injuries, treatment of groin injuries and how to prevent these injuries in the future.

We'll also take you through the latest developments in treatment and advice on how best to deal with these symptoms. Whether you're looking for information to better understand your own injury, or you want advice on how to prevent it, this blog will provide you with valuable knowledge and insights.

 

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physiotherapy groin injury
physiotherapy groin injury

What groin injuries are there?

Groin pain can be divided based on several factors. A subdivision can be made based on the onset of the symptoms. We then talk about acute or an overuse of the structures in the groin.

Acute injuries, as the name implies, are sudden injuries that occur as a result of a specific moment. This can be a fall or twisting of the body. An example of an acute injury is a tear in the muscle(or adductors) during a sprint.

We speak of overuse injuries when the injury occurs gradually from repetitive strain of muscles, tendons or joints over an extended period of time. An example is a tendinopathy, or tendonitis, of the muscles in the groin.

Another, more comprehensive way to subdivide groin pain is based on location of the pain symptoms or structure in the groin region.

Groin rupture (Inguinal Hernia): This is a condition in which part of the intestine bulges into the groin area through a weakness in the abdominal wall. While not necessarily an injury resulting from physical activity, an inguinal hernia can cause symptoms during sports activities, especially those that put pressure on the abdominal area.

Sports hernia (Gilmore's Groin): This is a complex condition involving chronic groin pain without an obvious hernia. It can occur as a result of overuse of the muscles and tendons in the groin area, especially in sports that involve a lot of twisting, stopping and starting, such as soccer, field hockey and rugby.

Pubalgia (Adductor Tendinopathy): Tendinopathy of the adductors, also known as adductor muscle tendinopathy, is a condition in which the tendons of the adductors become irritated, inflamed or damaged. The adductors are located on the inside of the thighbone and are responsible for moving the leg inward toward the middle of the body. Tendinopathy of the adductors can occur as a result of repetitive strain, reduced muscle strength, or sudden movements that stress the muscles.

Pubic bone stress fracture: This is a small tear in the pubic bone (the bone at the front of the pelvis), usually caused by repeated stress and strain. It can occur in athletes who experience repetitive impact to the hip and pelvis, such as runners and soccer players.

It is important to get a proper diagnosis from a medical professional when you experience symptoms of groin pain. Treatment depends on the type of injury and is different from one another. So it is important to get started on these symptoms with a proper diagnosis. Treatment may include rest, rehabilitation exercises, physiotherapy and possibly surgery may be necessary to actually remedy symptoms.

Ultrasound for groin pain

Ultrasound can play an essential role in correctly diagnosing groin pain. Ultrasound can be used to identify different types of groin injuries including, muscle tears, tendonitis, ligament injuries and even a bulge in the groin area (see inguinal hernia). Even if you are not at the right place, we can more easily refer you. It also provides an opportunity to monitor the recovery process by performing repeated scans and assessing changes in the tissues over time.

Echo is a valuable tool for identifying groin injuries and initiating appropriate treatment. It provides both accuracy and real-time visualization, allowing us to more effectively treat the injury and provide targeted care for those with groin injuries.

Physical therapy for groin injuries

Physical therapy can make a positive contribution to recovery from a groin injury. The main focus of treatment is to decrease pain in the groin area, promote recovery and prevent future injuries. With an groin injury, physical therapy can have different goals. This depends on the nature and severity of the injury. Individual needs and type of sport also play an important role in this. Important pillars of our treatment are:

1. Reducing complaints by manual therapy or hands-on treatments. This is to create conditions to regain better movement without pain.

2. Restoring the mobility or mobility of the hip joint. This can be done by stretching the muscles of the hip or by active mobilizations of the hip joint.

3. Increase the strength and load capacity of the muscles and other structures in the hip, abdominal and other muscles in the trunk.

4. When the symptoms subside and strength increases again, a start can be made on partial resumption of sport. Here there is a focus on using proper technique, strength and mobility to prevent a recurrence of the injury.

5. Education and prevention also play an important role during our treatment of groin injuries. We want to provide you with the right information about the cause of this injury, identify different risk factors and think along with you about strategies to prevent injuries in the future. These may include improving technique, using appropriate tools and employing a proper warm-up protocol.

While physical therapy can be an effective approach for many groin problems, it is important to note that not all complaints can be treated with this method. One example is an inguinal hernia. An inguinal hernia occurs when part of the intestine or peritoneum bulges through a weakness in the abdominal wall, which can lead to pain and discomfort in the groin area. Although physical therapy can be helpful in relieving symptoms and strengthening the surrounding muscles, surgical intervention is often necessary to completely correct an inguinal hernia. In such cases, physical therapy may be used as adjunctive treatment to support the recovery process after surgery.

Danish dynamics to reduce and prevent groin injuries

The Copenhagen Adductor Protocol is a structured exercise program specifically designed to improve the strength and stability of the hip adductors. This protocol includes a series of exercises aimed at strengthening the adductors of the upper leg. One of the most well-known exercises within this protocol is the Copenhagen adduction exercise, in which the athlete stands on a raised platform and moves the hip inward against resistance. This protocol is often used during the rehabilitation of groin injuries. Especially in athletes such as soccer players, who are more likely to experience groin injuries. Regular use of the Copenhagen Adductor Protocol allows athletes to improve adductor strength, which can help reduce injuries and optimize performance on the field.

Groin injuries are a common problem, especially among athletes at both the amateur and professional levels. Our blog has hopefully given you valuable insights on this topic, including information on different types of groin injuries, treatment options and preventive measures.

At Fysio Fitaal in Tilburg, we understand how frustrating groin problems can be and how they can affect your performance on the field. That's why our experienced physical therapists are here to help you recover and prevent future injuries. Whether you're struggling with an acute injury or long-term overuse issues, we offer customized treatment plans to help you return to your athletic activities in a healthy and safe manner.

Want more information or to make an appointment for physical therapy for groin injuries? If so, please feel free to contact with us by email at info@fysiofitaal.nl or by phone at 013-3020191. Our team is here to support you on your road to recovery and a life free of groin pain. We look forward to helping you!

 

physio fitaal physiotherapy
Ruben Luijkx

Owner Physio Vital
Physical therapist, MSC. Manuel therapy

With a solid foundation in scientific knowledge, Ruben combines the latest insights with his practical experience to ensure the best results. As owner of Physio Fitaal, Ruben has created a patient-centered environment that works with innovative techniques and a data-driven approach. Whether you are an elite athlete looking to return to the field or someone recovering from knee surgery, Ruben will guide you to a full recovery, with attention to your individual needs and goals.

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Ruben Luijkx

Owner Physio Vital
Physical therapist, MSC. Manuel therapy

With a solid foundation in scientific knowledge, Ruben combines the latest insights with his practical experience to ensure the best results. As owner of Physio Fitaal, Ruben has created a patient-centered environment that works with innovative techniques and a data-driven approach. Whether you are an elite athlete looking to return to the field or someone recovering from knee surgery, Ruben will guide you to a full recovery, with attention to your individual needs and goals.