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Definition
Groin pain is pain that occurs where the inner, upper thigh and lower abdomen meet.
Causes
The most common cause of groin pain is a muscle, tendon or ligament strain, particularly in athletes who play sports such as hockey, soccer and football. Groin pain might occur immediately after an injury, or pain might come on gradually over a period of weeks or even months. Groin pain might be worsened by continued use of the injured area.
Less commonly, a bone injury or fracture, a hernia, or even kidney stones might cause groin pain. Although testicle pain and groin pain are different, a testicle condition can sometimes cause pain that spreads to the groin area.
Direct and indirect causes of groin pain can include:
- Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis) (death of bone tissue due to limited blood flow)
- Avulsion fracture (ligament or tendon pulled from the bone)
- Bursitis (joint inflammation)
- Epididymitis (testicle inflammation)
- Hydrocele (fluid buildup that causes swelling of the scrotum)
- Inguinal hernia
- Kidney stones
- Mumps
- Muscle strains
- Orchitis (inflamed testicle)
- Osteoarthritis (disease causing the breakdown of joints)
- Pinched nerve
- Piriformis syndrome
- Retractile testicle (testicle that moves between the scrotum and abdomen)
- Sciatica
- Scrotal masses
- Spermatocele (fluid buildup in the testicle)
- Sprains
- Stress fractures
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Tendinitis
- Testicular cancer
- Testicular torsion (twisted testicle)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical attention if you have:
- Groin pain associated with back, abdomen or chest pain
- Sudden, severe testicle pain
- Testicle pain and swelling accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, chills or blood in the urine
Schedule a doctor's visit if you have:
- Severe groin pain
- Groin pain that doesn't improve with home treatment within a few days
- Mild testicle pain lasting longer than a few days
- A lump or swelling in or around a testicle
- Intermittent intense pain along the lower side of your abdomen (flank) that may radiate along your groin and into your testicle
- Blood in your urine
Self-care
If your groin pain is caused by a strain or sprain, these self-care measures might help:
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
- Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas, wrapped in a protective layer such as a towel, on the sore area for 20 to 30 minutes two to four times a day.
- Temporarily stop participation in athletic activities. Rest is essential to heal any strains or sprains to your groin.
Last Updated Jan 12, 2021
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Experiencing pain in the inner thigh can have many causes, including a muscle strain, a hernia, and kidney stones.
Home remedies can often alleviate the pain, but medical treatment may also be needed, depending on the cause.
This article will discuss some possible causes of inner thigh pain, other symptoms, and ways to treat them.
Depending on its cause, pain around the inner portion of the thigh may either be described as:
- a dull ache
- a sharp pain
A person may feel pain in the inner thigh muscles or adductors. These muscles sit close to the groin, which refers to the region of the hip between the stomach and thigh. Pain in the groin and inner thigh may overlap because of this proximity.
Inner thigh pain may occur with other symptoms, such as:
- muscle stiffness
- limited range of motion
- inflammation
- clicking or grinding when moving
Other symptoms may also be present, depending on the cause.
Muscle injuries
The inner thigh muscles, or adductors, can become strained or torn by certain movements or activities. These can include running or turning too quickly. The resulting muscle damage can cause pain in the inner thigh or groin region.
The intensity of the pain will vary, depending on the extent to which the muscle was damaged. The pain can also be accompanied by swelling or bruising around the affected region.
Bone conditions
Bone conditions that affect the hip can cause discomfort in the thigh area.
One example is osteoarthritis, a condition where cartilage on the ends of bones is broken down, causing inflammation in the joints.
Other symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- pain and stiffness in joints in the surrounding area, which may spread to the inner thigh
- a grating or crackling sounds when moving
Another bone condition is called femoroacetabular impingement. This happens when extra bone develops in the hip joint, causing friction between the bones as they rub together. Over time, this can cause damage to the joint, pain or an ache in the thighs, stiffness, or a limp.
Osteosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer that develops in growing bones, most commonly around the knee, including the femur or thigh bone. It is most common in people aged 10 to 25. It can induce swelling and tenderness in the affected area.
Hernia
A hernia occurs when an internal body part pushes through surrounding muscle or tissue wall.
Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia. They occur in the groin area, where the intestines push through the lower abdomen, causing a fleshy bulge to develop.
Pain may be felt around the affected region, including the inner thigh. There may be no or very few other symptoms.
Kidney stones
Share on PinterestKidney stones are solid lumps that pass through the urinary tract.Kidney stones are where crystals build up to form a solid lump in the kidneys. When passed through the urinary tract they can cause significant discomfort, particularly with larger stones. It is possible to feel sharp pains in the inner thigh.
Other symptoms could include:
- aching in lower back or groin area
- restlessness
- nausea
- pain when urinating
- intense bouts of abdominal pain
- blood in urine
Pregnancy
Someone who is pregnant can develop pubis dysfunction, a condition that causes the pelvic bone to become unstable. This is caused by the ligaments supporting the pelvic bone becoming too relaxed and typically occurs during the second trimester.
This can cause severe pain in the pelvis, which may be felt in surrounding regions, including the inner thigh. It can also restrict mobility and cause clicking or grinding noises when moving.
Menstruation
Along with uterus cramps, a person may feel cramps, aches, or pains in other areas of their body near the uterus. These include the back, pelvis, and thighs.
If a person has substantial pain in their lower abdomen and the surrounding area during menstruation, it may be worth consulting a doctor.
Two conditions called endometriosis and adenomyosis are among those that can cause painful periods. These conditions can be managed with diagnosis and treatment.
It is possible to alleviate some inner thigh pain through experimenting with different home or natural remedies. These could include:
- Resting. Avoiding activity in the thighs is important in the early stages of a muscle injury, or immediately after physical activity in people with bone conditions.
- Heat and ice therapy. Hot compresses or ice packs can reduce inflammation, therefore alleviating pain in the inner thigh. This is useful for osteoarthritis and muscular injuries. Hot compresses and ice packs are available in pharmacies and online.
- Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy can help with the symptoms of femoroacetabular impingement, or in some cases, osteoarthritis. It can also be used to return function to a muscle following injury, after a suitable rest period.
- Painkillers. Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication can be enough to alleviate inner thigh pain in some cases.
- Bandages or compression wraps. These can provide additional support for a muscular injury, and help it heal faster. Both are available to purchase in supermarkets, pharmacies, and online.
- Hot bath. Soaking the muscles can reduce pain, as it helps to relax the inner thigh muscle.
- Supportive equipment. Using a cane or a brace can reduce pressure on the joints, which is particularly useful for bone conditions, such as osteoarthritis.
- Pelvic support belt. These are used to stabilize the pelvis in people with pubis dysfunction to reduce pain
- Lifestyle changes. For instance, weight loss may reduce pressure on the joints in people with bone conditions.
It is essential to work out the cause of inner thigh pain when deciding what methods to try. More serious conditions, such as hernias, osteosarcoma, or kidney stones, will require hospital treatment or surgery to reduce the pain.
Share on PinterestMaintaining good physical fitness while avoiding high-intensity exercise may help.It is possible to reduce the risk of developing inner thigh pain from some causes by making lifestyle changes. These changes might include:
- losing weight
- avoiding high-intensity exercise
- keeping hydrated
- eating a balanced diet, rich in vitamin D and calcium
- maintaining good physical fitness
- using proper footwear when exercising
- avoiding lifting heavy objects
Some causes, such as kidney stones or pubis dysfunction, are not as easily preventable.
In most cases, inner thigh pain is temporary and can be treated with home remedies or over-the-counter pain medication. However, if the pain is persistent or severe, medical attention should be sought.
If a lump has developed with the inner thigh pain, it could be a hernia, which requires medical attention. Intense pain in the abdomen could indicate the inner thigh pain is caused by kidney stones, which would require immediate emergency care.
Most cases of inner thigh pain do not pose any serious health risks, and they are often caused by a muscular injury. The pain will often disappear after a few days, but it can sometimes take longer, depending on the cause. It can usually be managed without the need for medical treatment unless the pain is the result of a more serious health condition.