Groin Injury - experiences?

Discussion in 'Player' started by Elbullio, Jun 14, 2012.

  1. Elbullio

    Elbullio Member

    Dec 24, 2010
    Hi guys,

    Have been out with a groin injury since the start of april.

    Now, this happened over a couple of weeks as pain in my left upper groin (non kicking) gradually worsened until i couldent walk straight.

    My pain is located at the top of the left adductor and hip flexor, when running straight, pain is felt immidietly at the middle pelvis in a weird "line" so to speak.

    My physio said is was a combination of weak hip and lower ab muscles (basically weak core) that had caused the overload injury to happen. So she gave me a programme and advised me to stretch gently and follow the programme to the extent of pain allowed.

    I have been resting it, treating it with ice and slowly trying to strengthen the ab muscles and core, but it always hurt afterwards and feel extremely sore. I feel like i cant really do anything without hurting it.

    I was scanned with ultrasound and nothing appeared. My muscles in my thigh looked fine. No inflammation.

    I am really afraid that it is turning out to be a long term injury, but has anyone experienced the same frustration with a groin injury that i am going through ?
     
  2. Impossible6

    Impossible6 Member

    Feb 15, 2011
    Australia
    Club:
    Central Coast Mariners
    Know how you feel dude. When I get injured it's always in the same manner as you - non-acute, gradually gets worse, can't be diagnosed as anything. From my experience, stay off it for a good two weeks, ice it etc... If it doesn't get any better, then follow up with more appointments at physios etc. get it sorted, don't let them tell you "just stretch it out and keep off it for a few weeks", tell them you already did, and you want it diagnosed.
     
  3. #1Keeper

    #1Keeper Member+

    Feb 7, 2004
    I have experience with this kind of injury and it is not fun at all. I tore my right hip adductor in December 2010. I didn't feel too bad at the time and I continued playing through it for three more months- big mistake! Definitely see a physio for it and do physical therapy. Rest and ice are the best things to do right after it happens.

    Not being able to play is difficult but it is better than having chronic injury. After I took a break for two months, it did heal but not 100%. This is when I saw my chiropractor who specializes in sports medicine and is also a strength and conditioning specialist. He helped break up the scar tissue that had accumulated around my hip adductor and showed me stretches and exercises to strengthen the groin. After two months of this, I was finally able to play. There are still times when it does feel tight or sore, though. But not too bad and it is very sporadic.
     
  4. dejansavicevic10

    Jun 12, 2009
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Nigeria
    Yeah, I have had my share of groin, hip flexor, hamstring injuries. Some of these injuries took 2-3 months to heal, so I would recommend you follow your PT's recommendations and take it easy.
     
  5. Elbullio

    Elbullio Member

    Dec 24, 2010
    Thanks for the replies.

    I think my strategy is to get an ultrasound and a MRI scan (Medical care is free in Denmark, yay!)
    This would help diagnose whether it is a muscle problem, or a "bone" problem in my hip/pelvis.
    And of course rest and do nothing.
     
  6. Alexandre Pato 7

    Alexandre Pato 7 Legends that will never be forgotten <3

    Mar 16, 2010
    Club:
    AC Milan
    Is your groin really tight?
     
  7. Elbullio

    Elbullio Member

    Dec 24, 2010
    Yup, hipflexors, etc.
     
  8. rca2

    rca2 Member+

    Nov 25, 2005
    Groin strains take forever to heal. Usually its from overuse. I only pulled one once (overuse injury from a 10k and two matches in two days) and it took six months to completely recover. I was stupid. I finished the last match after pulling it taking a goal kick. Even if you aren't stupid like I was it is probably going to be months, not weeks, to recover.

    Follow your medical advice.
     
  9. BillyGates

    BillyGates Member

    Aug 4, 2010
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I pulled my groin muscle that made it very difficult to take a hard kick with my favored right leg. I kept playing through it, but took it as a chance to get better kicking with my left leg. I didn't push any hard kicks and only did simple passes with my right... I was able to play through it, but it took about 4-6 months to be fully healed.

    Not offering advice... just my experience... :)

    I also find it useful to make a log of when you get injured and see how long it takes to heal. I rolled my ankle and played keeper for a month... and it took 2 months to get it back to 95%...

    Good luck!
     
  10. applelover

    applelover New Member

    Apr 20, 2008
    find a physical therapist that works through the SFMA and FMS
     
  11. Effington

    Effington Member

    Apr 25, 2010
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    I also had a very similar experience. My pain gradually got worse until I decided it was too much to play with, and took a break. As others recommended, and what I wished I would have done, was stop right away and be cautious.

    I didn't "fully" stay off of it, so it took about 6-8 months until it recovered fully.
     
  12. red & wite army

    red & wite army I ain't no drama queen!

    Jan 15, 2005
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Get it checked out properly, and do the strengthening exercises they tell you to do.

    My groin popped while kicking around before practice, and I played through it.
    Two weeks of playing, and I couldn't take it anymore. I had to quit mid-season 2008.

    It's now 2012 and I haven't played since...
     
  13. vanity_soccer13

    Apr 14, 2004
    i messed up my hip flexor a few years back. instead of resting, i ran all of my winter track season(3 months roughly). by the end, i couldn't run without a limp. had to do almost 2 months of physical therapy, with the first few sessions just warming it up enough to stretch the problem area, and gradually moving into various leg lifts using ankle weights, and then an exentension machine[​IMG]like this. therapy is expensive, especially if you don't have any insurance. but, unless you have the proper equipment and workout machines to restrengthen your injury, it won't heal properly.
     
  14. elessar78

    elessar78 Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 12, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Yeah, listen to your physio and once she clears you go further in the strength and fitness area. I didn't get analyzed by a physio until much later in life and I wish I had done it sooner. She identified muscular imbalances that have caused me pain in my 20s and 30s and reduced my performance.

    Weak hipflexors, weak hamstrings were the main culprit but when those our weak other muscles have to compensate and after a while they just give out. So, IMO, overall strength is a necessity for footballers.
     
  15. Aspire732

    Aspire732 Member

    Jun 19, 2012
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    OMG Me too!! I'm in the same situation! It's my right hip flexor? I really don't know where it is.. I really don't know how to put it.. ( It's the area where it hurts when you get kicked in the genitals, but only on the right side). It hurts when I do sudden movements, and I can't really sprint as fast as I used to. It's really annoying. I've been icing it, I've havent gone to a physio yet. Should I go asap? It's been hurting for 1 month now.
     
  16. Elbullio

    Elbullio Member

    Dec 24, 2010
    Thanks for the replies.

    I was feeling better last week, and did some strengthening exercises that has worked well for me previously for the groin almost pain free. I took some days off, and tried to do them again, but this time it was associated with much pain, so i stopped.

    I am going to see a new therapist today, but i am really getting quite scared that i will be out for years, hearing all these stories of groin injuries that never heals and players never getting better.

    Hopefully, my case is different.
     
  17. Denis Horan

    Denis Horan Member

    Jun 2, 2012
    Ireland
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Ireland Republic
    I have had a reccuring groin injury over the last couple of years but it is not serious and the most time I have ever missed is a fortnight. The injury however is affecting my performance on the pitch and still is niggling at me. I hope you have better luck, Elbullio.
     
    red & wite army repped this.
  18. red & wite army

    red & wite army I ain't no drama queen!

    Jan 15, 2005
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Exactly. I was slower, and weaker, and my movement and flexibility got poorer. It just wasn't fun to play anymore.
     
  19. Elbullio

    Elbullio Member

    Dec 24, 2010
    Phew. Lot of bad stories.

    Well, i got a ultrasound scan and an x-ray yesterday. Two conclusions were made (really three)
    1) I have a minor stress injury in the top of my left adductor - where the adductor is linked to the pelvis bone - Very typical injury - Needs to be stretched and stimulated.

    2) I have a minor Hip dysplasia - which basically is the hip socket kinda "grinds" against the hip joint. Its very minor, but if overtrained and combined with weak muscles and lack of stability in the area it can lead to groin pain.

    3) I can run!

    So i was told to start a running programme, and rehab my ass of, as there werent really anything that could generate any serious issues, so i was basically told that pain was okay to a certain limit.
    I had my first run yesterday in like 2 months, which was almost pain free, but my form is comparable to a 70-year old. I start at the gym wednesday, and looking forward to increasing my milage and upping my strength exercises.
     
  20. Denis Horan

    Denis Horan Member

    Jun 2, 2012
    Ireland
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Ireland Republic
    That is great news, I hope it doesn't bother you again.
     
  21. Denis Horan

    Denis Horan Member

    Jun 2, 2012
    Ireland
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Ireland Republic
    I got slower and weaker too but I still find fun in playing.
     
    red & wite army repped this.
  22. Aspire732

    Aspire732 Member

    Jun 19, 2012
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    I went to the doctor the other day and he told me to Ice and stretch. I'm playing soccer in college so I need to get better before the season starts.. I haven't played or ran in 1 week now and I can't stand being still without training.
     
  23. Air Setrana

    Air Setrana New Member

    Oct 15, 2014
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
  24. Elbullio

    Elbullio Member

    Dec 24, 2010
    I want to close this thread by giving some hard earned advice for anyone suffering with groin problems.
    Not by some moron linking to his pay site.

    I was playing football again in august, when i suffered the injury in march/april.
    First of all, the injury is troublesome, because it is often an inflamed adductor in the groin causing problems. That and a weak core.
    So main areas of advice:

    - REST and be patient.
    - Eccentric exercises with significant weight are key to overcoming this injury quickly. My rehab programme was basically three different exercises with 13 reps and 3 sets done 2x weekly in the beginning, and then 3x week: Exercises were Adductor machine, adductor cable leg pulls and doing core stuff such as the plank.
    Pain is acceptable, from 0-10, if its under 6 you should keep going. Icing it afterwards may help.
    - Forget about bands, and balls, you need to rest the tendon for about a month or so, and then start hitting the gym.
    - Buy shoes with a soft sole. Your tendon will react negatively to the joint stress if you wear hard soled shoes.
    - Massage is also helpful if you can afford it, but the main thing is your own ability to judge when to push it and add more weight, and when to rest.
    - When you start to run again, do so very slowly. I mean starting with 1km, then 2km and so on in very modest pace. Buy a pair of these thermal pants, to aid support and circulation - they help also when returning to football. http://intersport.dk/produkt/select-profcare-thermal-trousers/4
    - Once you can run without pain, start football movements without ball.
    - Start eating an fish oil supplement. this will also aid recovery of the tendon.

    Anyone with questions in regards to the above, or questions to my rehab are most welcome to send me a PM.
     
    tothetop repped this.
  25. TingXuan

    TingXuan Member

    Jan 15, 2015
    Malaysia
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Malaysia
    #25 TingXuan, Feb 13, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2015
    Good day everyone,I had suffered from a groin strain on 11th January 2015,i had stopped playing football or soccer already for 5 weeks it has got me feeling gloomy sometimes when I think my injury is for long...I had the habit of working out and working out is as important as Football for me,on the 2nd week of my groin strain I gone back to do my workout and today which is the fifth week,I still feel not as comfortable on my groin part which the strain injury is like a "line"vertical on the groin
    My workout consist of 30 minutes jogging and 300 push up,60 pull up,had been doing these for 2 years
    I really miss soccer but can't stop my workout...is it possible that I return to football/soccer lightly not be so rough or tough,just enjoy the game while hoping it fully recover without any uncomfortability in another few weeks time
    Thanks
     

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