Groin Pain

Groin pain can feel different depending on the underlying cause. Some people experience a dull ache, while others develop a sharp or stabbing pain during movement.

Symptoms associated with groin pain can include:

• pain where the abdomen meets the upper thigh

• pain that worsens during walking, running, twisting, or exercise

• stiffness or reduced movement in the hip

• tenderness around the groin or inner thigh

• pain when lifting the knee or rotating the hip

• clicking, locking, or catching sensations in the hip

• pain spreading into the thigh, buttock, or lower abdomen

• weakness in the leg or hip

• swelling or bruising after an injury

• pain when coughing or straining

• a visible lump or swelling in the groin, which may indicate a hernia

In some cases, groin pain may develop slowly over weeks or months. This can happen with overuse injuries or conditions such as hip osteoarthritis.

You should seek medical advice promptly if you develop severe pain, sudden swelling, fever, inability to bear weight, or pain after a significant injury.

There are many possible causes of groin pain. In orthopaedics and sports medicine, the symptom is commonly linked to hip problems, muscle injuries, or strain affecting the soft tissues around the pelvis.

Muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries

Soft tissue injuries are one of the most common causes of groin pain, particularly in active people and athletes. These injuries may happen suddenly or develop gradually because of overuse.

Common soft tissue causes include:

• groin strain

• adductor muscle injury

• hip flexor strain

• tendon irritation or tendinopathy

• sports-related groin pain

• inflammation around the pubic bone (osteitis pubis)

These conditions often cause pain during physical activity, especially running, kicking, sprinting, or changing direction quickly.

Hip joint problems

The hip joint commonly causes pain that’s felt in the groin rather than directly over the hip itself.

Hip conditions linked to groin pain include:

• hip arthritis

• femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)

• labral tears

• hip dysplasia

• cartilage damage

Hip-related groin pain may be associated with stiffness, reduced mobility, clicking sensations, or discomfort during prolonged sitting or walking.

Hernias

A hernia happens when tissue pushes through a weakness in the muscle wall. Groin pain linked to a hernia may worsen during coughing, lifting, or straining. Some people also notice a lump or swelling.

Types of hernia that can cause groin pain include:

• inguinal hernia

• femoral hernia

• sports hernia (athletic pubalgia)

If your symptoms suggest a hernia, your consultant may recommend assessment by a hernia specialist.

Other causes of groin pain

Less commonly, groin pain may be caused by:

• trapped nerves

• lower back problems

• urinary tract infections

• kidney stones

• gynaecological conditions

• enlarged lymph nodes

• testicular conditions

Because groin pain has many possible causes, a specialist assessment is important to identify the source of the problem.

Risk factors for groin pain

Factors that may increase your risk of developing groin pain include:

• playing sports involving kicking, sprinting, or sudden turning

• poor flexibility or muscle weakness

• previous hip or groin injuries

• increasing age

• hip arthritis

• repetitive overuse activities

• poor training technique

inadequate warm-up before exercise

At Welbeck, your consultant will begin by asking about your symptoms, medical history, activity levels, and when the pain started. They’ll also ask what movements or activities make the pain worse.

A physical examination is usually needed to assess the hip, pelvis, lower back, and groin area. Your consultant may check your range of movement, muscle strength, walking pattern, and areas of tenderness.

In some cases, the diagnosis can be made during the consultation. However, tests are often helpful to confirm the cause of groin pain or rule out other conditions. These may include:

• X-rays

• ultrasound scans

• MRI scans

• CT scans

• blood tests

Imaging tests can help identify muscle injuries, tendon damage, arthritis, labral tears, stress fractures, or hernias.

If your consultant suspects your pain may not be related to the musculoskeletal system, they may refer you to another Welbeck specialist for further assessment.

Not all causes of groin pain are preventable. However, there are several things that may help reduce your risk of injury and ongoing symptoms.

Ways to help prevent groin pain include:

• warming up properly before exercise

• gradually increasing training intensity

• strengthening the hip, core, and leg muscles

• improving flexibility and mobility

• allowing time for recovery after exercise

• avoiding sudden increases in activity levels

• wearing supportive footwear

• maintaining a healthy weight

• stopping activity if pain develops

If you regularly participate in sports or exercise, having physiotherapy and doing strength training may help reduce the risk of recurrent groin injuries.

Groin pain can significantly affect mobility, exercise, work, and everyday activities if it’s not treated appropriately.

In some cases, continuing to exercise through pain may worsen an injury and increase recovery time. Long-term hip problems may also lead to reduced movement, muscle weakness, and difficulty staying active.

Persistent pain can also affect mental wellbeing, sleep quality, and confidence with movement or exercise.

While many causes of groin pain improve with conservative treatment, some conditions require specialist intervention. Early diagnosis often leads to more effective treatment and a faster recovery.

Treatment for groin pain depends on the underlying cause, the severity of symptoms, and how long the pain has been present.

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic specialists provide personalised treatment plans designed around your needs and lifestyle.

Treatment options for groin pain may include:

• rest and activity modification

• physiotherapy

• strengthening and rehabilitation exercises

• anti-inflammatory medication

• pain relief medication

• ultrasound-guided injections

• shockwave therapy

• treatment for underlying hip arthritis

• surgical treatment for hip impingement or labral tears

• hernia repair surgery where appropriate

Many people improve with non-surgical treatment. However, surgery may be recommended if symptoms are severe, persistent, or linked to structural hip problems.

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic consultants are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if needed to ensure you receive the best possible treatment as quickly as possible, all under one roof.

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.