Groin tendonitis

A tendonitis in the groin is a condition at the transition between the muscles and the bone. This transition is called the tendon. Excessive movements with the hip can lead to small tears in the tendon. These tears cause the characteristic pain and stiffness. Recovery from a tendonitis is delayed because tendons contain hardly any blood vessels and can therefore absorb only limited repair substances.

The groin is a region where large muscles from the thigh and the abdominal muscles come together. A muscle group in the groin region that is relatively often inflamed consists of the adductors. These muscles have a joint function to move the leg inwards. They are also very important for balance when standing and walking.

How does a tendonitis in the groin arise?

A tendonitis in the groin is almost always the result of overuse. This overuse can occur suddenly (acute), where a single movement with too much tensile load causes damage to the tendon. In practice, however, it is much more often the result of a longer-term (chronic) overload of the tendon. This arises from making the same movements for too long, too often or too intensively.

Sports in which tendonitis in the groin occurs relatively often are speed skating, cycling, athletics and football. Other risk factors that may contribute to the development or persistence of groin pain are (congenital) alignment abnormalities, such as a leg length discrepancy, or a general imbalance between surrounding muscle groups.

What are the symptoms of a tendonitis in the groin?

Characteristic of a tendonitis in the groin is pain that occurs when walking or standing on one leg. This pain can also be provoked by pressing the legs together, which tenses the adductors. Another symptom is stiffness in the groin region, especially when getting up in the morning or after a period of rest.

How is a tendonitis in the groin diagnosed?

To map out the symptoms, the GP or physiotherapist will perform a physical examination. This, supplemented with a number of specific tests, will most likely provide sufficient information to establish a tendonitis in the groin. When making the diagnosis it is important to distinguish between different forms of groin pain.

If in doubt, the GP may choose to have imaging performed in hospital. An X-ray will most likely be sufficient.

How is a tendonitis in the groin treated?

In treating a tendonitis in the groin it is important first to have a good picture of the cause. The first treatment advice, as always with tendonitis, is graded rest and, where possible, icing the painful spot.

In a chronic imbalance in surrounding muscle groups it is extremely important to pay attention to this as well. Think of exercise therapy to get the abdominal muscles, back muscles and thighs better balanced. A treatment programme under the guidance of a physiotherapist is strongly recommended.

The physiotherapist can, where necessary, apply other interventions in addition to exercise therapy such as shockwave, deep transverse frictions and taping.