Muscular Conditions 

Injury Information

Hip flexor (Iliopsoas) muscle or bursa inflammation:
The Iliopsoas muscle is responsible for flexing the hip or pulling the thigh upward and forward. Inflammation of this muscle is common in rowing, running uphill, kicking a ball repetitively, or jumping sports such as long jump. Inflammation may originate from the muscle or fluid filled sac (bursa) underneath the muscle.

Pain will originate above the groin and may refer down to the groin or to the front or inside of the leg. Aggravation will occur when pulling the leg up against resistance.

 

Inflammation/Strain/Rupture of the Adductor Muscles:

The adductor muscles are the muscles that draw the leg inwards. Overloading and subsequent inflammation of these muscles can be caused in sports such as football, which involve repetitive ‘stop-start’ sprinting, kicking and changing direction whilst running.

The most common musculoskeletal cause of groin pain is a muscle strain, which occurs when a muscle is stretched beyond its normal capability or encounters an unexpected opposing force. Signs and symptoms include acute pain over the upper muscles of the inner thigh, swelling, and, occasionally, bruising. Also present will be tenderness to touch, pain with resisted contraction, and pain on stretching.

Pain with inflammation originates high up in the groin and may radiate down the muscle into the inner thigh. Pain will tend to decrease as exercise continues but will return on completion. Pain may be aggravated by pulling the leg inwards, towards the other leg, or during running when changing direction

Rupture: Rupture may occur following prolonged inflammation or tear. Rupture is characterised by a sudden stabbing pain and loss of contraction. A painful defect may be felt at the site of injury with 'bunching up' of the muscle. 

Injury Treatment 

Early Injury Management

For approximately the first 72 hours following an injury, the RICE regime should be followed to ensure control of inflammation and pain relief.

R - Rest
I - Ice
C - Compression
E - Elevation
Rest from aggravating activity.
Ice should be applied in the first 72 hours or when inflammation persists. Ice should be applied for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Ice should not be applied directly to the skin, but through a wet towel or cloth.
Compression can be achieved with an elastic bandage.
Elevation is used to help swelling to return to the heart through the blood stream.
The injured area should be elevated above the level of the heart.

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Treatment Options

 

Treatment Options

The treatment of muscle strains consists of rest from aggravating activities for the first 1 to 2 weeks. Rest, Ice, compression and elevation is used initially within the first 3 to 4 days. Compression bandages or shorts can provide symptomatic relief and decrease the period before return to training. Medical management such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is common in the first 7 to 10 days. These medications are used to limit inflammation and control pain in order to facilitate rehabilitation.

When inflammation subsides, a stretching program can be commenced. During the stretching phase of rehabilitation, players are encouraged to maintain cardiovascular fitness with exercises that do not increase their pain such as cycling, a pool exercise program or swimming. A strengthening program consisting initially of low-intensity exercises should follow the stretching phase. Stretches should continue on a regular basis during the strengthening phase, both before and after strengthening exercises. Prior to a return to football, the player’s function, relative to the functional requirements of a football match, should be tested.

 

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Stretches

Stretches

• Stretches to be held for three sets of 20 to 30 seconds
• A light warm-up such as walking, exercise bike, or range of movement exercises (moving the joint through a gentle, comfortable range) for five to ten minutes, should be undergone before stretching
• Stretches should be held just at the first point of tension.
• Stretching should be slow and gentle and no excessive tension or discomfort should be felt during stretching.
• Stretches can be done to help treat an injury but should also be done before and after exercise.

 

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Exercises

Strengthening programs should only be commenced when:

The injury is not painful to touch.
The injury is not painful in the morning.
The injury is not painful to stretch.
The injury is not painful with light to moderate exercise.

Exercises should be 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions.

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