What is a groin strain?

There are five adductor muscles, the pectineus, adductor brevis and adductor longus (called short adductors) go from the pelvis to the thigh bone and the gracilis and adductor magnus (long adductors) go from the pelvis to the knee. The main function of these muscles is to pull the legs together. This kind of injury occurs most often when performing tic tac drills and wall hops without a proper warm up.  A rupture or tear in the muscle usually occurs when sprinting, twisting or when kicking something that doesn't move.

What are the symptoms?

• Tightening of the groin muscles that may not be present until the day after practising.
• A sudden sharp pain in the groin area or adductor muscles.
• Bruising or swelling (this might not occur until a couple of days after the initial injury)
• Inability to contract the adductor muscles
• A lump or gap in the adductor muscles.

What can the traceur do?

• Apply R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) immediately.
• Rest and use crutches if necessary.
• See professional who can advise on rehabilitation of the injury.

What can be done by a specialist?