Info on groin strins... NOT Good News
- a first degree strain is damage to a few muscle fibres
- a second degree strain is damage to a more extensive number of muscle fibres
- a third degree strain is a complete rupture of the muscle itself
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS In the case of a grade one groin strain the signs may not be present until after the activity is over. There may be a sensation of cramp or tightness and a slight feeling of pain when the muscles are stretched or contracted.
A grade two groin strain causes immediate pain which is more severe than the pain of a grade one injury and produces pain on walking. It is confirmed by pain on stretch and contraction of the muscle. A grade two groin strain is usually sore to touch.
A grade three strain is quite rare in the adductor muscles. There is an immediate burning or stabbing pain and the athlete is unable to walk without pain. In the case of grade two and three injuries, a large bruise will appear below the injury site after a few days - this is caused by bleeding within the tissues.
TREATMENT The immediate treatment for any muscle injury consists of rest, ice, and compression (never apply ice directly to the skin). This is aimed at reducing the bleeding and damage within the muscle tissue. Resting may be the common sense approach, but it is one that is often ignored by competitive athletes. This is unwise, since it does not take much to turn a grade one strain into a grade two, or a grade two strain into a grade three. As a general rule, grade one groin strains should be rested from sporting activity for about 3 weeks, and grade two injuries for about 4 to 6 weeks.
In the case of a complete rupture, the muscle will have to be repaired surgically and the rehabilitation afterwards will take about 3 months.
Regardless of the level of the injury, the treatment in the first five days is the same. The injury site should be rested, with an ice pack applied for twenty minutes every two hours. This should help to limit bleeding and swelling in the tissues. After the first five days have been spent resting, more active rehabilitation can be started.
