Physiotherapy for groin injuries

Groin pain can be subdivided based on several factors. A subdivision can be made based on the onset of the symptoms. We then talk about acute or an overload 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 could 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 repeated strain on muscles, tendons or joints over a long 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.

Inguinal hernia (Inguinale 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 that involves 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 turning, stopping and starting, such as football, 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 inwards towards the centre 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 crack 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 on the hips and pelvis, such as runners and football 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 each other. So it is important to get started with a correct diagnosis to deal with these symptoms. Treatment may include rest, rehabilitation exercises, physiotherapy and possibly surgery may be necessary to actually resolve symptoms.

Ultrasound can play an essential role in correctly diagnosing groin injuries. 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 with us, we can more easily refer you. It also allows us 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 offers both accuracy and real-time visualisation, allowing us to treat the injury more effectively and provide targeted care for people with groin injuries.

Physiotherapy can make a positive contribution to recovery from a groin injury. Treatment is mainly aimed at decreasing pain in the groin area, promoting recovery and preventing future injuries. With an groin injury, physiotherapy 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 symptoms through 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 mobilisations of the hip joint.

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

4. When the symptoms subside and strength returns, 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 on the cause of this injury, identify various risk factors and think along with you about strategies to prevent injuries in the future. This could include improving technique, using appropriate tools and adopting a proper warm-up protocol.

While physiotherapy can be an effective approach for many groin problems, it is important to note that not all complaints can be treated with this method. An example is an inguinal hernia. An inguinal hernia occurs when part of the intestine or peritoneum bulges due to a weakness in the abdominal wall, which can lead to pain and discomfort in the groin area. While physiotherapy 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, physiotherapy can be used as adjunctive treatment to support the recovery process after surgery.

The Copenhagen Adductor Protocol is a structured exercise programme 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 inwards against resistance. This protocol is often used during rehabilitation of groin injuries. Particularly in athletes such as footballers, 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 optimise performance on the field.

Groin injuries are a common problem, especially among athletes at both 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 pitch. That's why our experienced physiotherapists are here to help you recover and prevent future injuries. Whether you are struggling with an acute injury or long-term overuse issues, we offer tailored treatment plans to help you return to your sporting activities in a healthy and safe manner.