Sep 30 2010
Coping With Groin Pain
There are several possible causes for groin pain.
For athletes, groin pain usually means damage to muscles, ligaments or tendons in the area where the legs meet the hips. A groin pull is a relatively common sports injury that occurs when the muscles of the upper inner thigh (also known as the adductors) are overextended or stretched beyond their limits.
If you have a groin pull, you generally remember when and how it occurred. Pain in the groin area is the major symptom, although some swelling may also occur .
Treatment for this type of pain is fairly straightforward: put some ice on it and let it rest. Compression is also helpful, as is elevating the leg in which the injury has taken place. Any number of pain relievers, both over-the-counter and prescription, may be suggested by your medical professional .
In addition to an adductor injury, groin discomfort may be a symptom of some other type of problem. Possibilities include the following.
Hernia – This occurs when part of the body pushes its way through a tear or opening in a different part near it. This happens most frequently when part of the intestine bulges through an opening in the abdominal wall. A hernia can result in discomfort in the groin area. Other indications of a hernia are swelling, nausea and vomiting.
Soft tissue injuries – Muscles and tendons in the abdomen can be injured or stretched beyond their limits. This is most likely to take place during vigorous physical activity or while playing sports.
Swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin area – When this happens, it results in discomfort in the groin and is often a symptom of a sexually transmitted disease.
Cancer of the testicles – Testicular cancer has received a lot of attention the last few years because of Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. Armstrong not only survived this type of cancer, but he has become of the most celebrated athletes in the world. This fact should not fool anyone into thinking, however, that testicular cancer is easy to cure .
Pain in the groin, lumps and swelling of the testicles could be symptoms of testicular cancer.
Referred pain – When a problem arises with the lower back, the pain may travel along nerve pathways to other areas, including the groin. Signs of referred pain from spinal problems usually also include numbness, burning or stinging sensations, or a pins and needles feeling.
Kidney stones – Pain from kidney stones typically starts in the flank area, approximately halfway down your back and slightly to either side. But pain from kidney stones can also radiate down into the groin. If you’re feeling sharp pain in the mid-back which crosses down around abdominal area and into the groin, it may very well be a kidney stone.
Orchitis – This condition causes the testicles to become inflamed and painful. Typically, it’s an infection due to either viruses or bacteria. Orchitis is a serious condition and you should receive medical attention as soon as possible.
Click on painful groin, groin pull and groin pain in woman for more information on related subjects. Neal Kennedy is a retired radio and television talk show host.
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