What is it?
There is a lot going on around your hip and groin area – there are lots of muscles, structures like bursae (fluid filled sacs), and of course the joints themselves (e.g. hip joint, sacroiliac joint, pubic symphysis). Muscles can suffer acute strains, chronic tightness or over use can result in tendinopathies, or there can be structural damage to the joints. Pain could also be referred from other areas e.g. your lumbar spine.
How is it diagnosed?
In working out exactly what the cause of your pain is we normally start with taking a detailed history about how long you’ve been experiencing your symptoms, when or how your symptoms are aggravated, and anything that you have found that eases your symptoms.
We will take a good look at how your hip, groin, and your whole body are moving. There are a number of specific tests that physios can perform around the hip and groin to help to identify a structure that may be the cause of your pain.
How is it treated?
Acute muscle strains are often treated with stretching and strengthening exercises. Chronic injuries are often a little more complex so may require techniques such as soft tissue releases and dry needling in addition to exercises to help offload the affected area. Structural injuries such as labral tears can be conservatively treated with physiotherapy may need assistance outside of physiotherapy like surgical intervention.
How long does it take to get better?
Muscle strains will vary in recovery time depending on their severity. This time may vary from 2-12 weeks or longer depending on the injury. Chronic injuries like tendinopathies and bursitis often take longer than acute strains.
If you’re suffering with pain, stiffness, or discomfort around your hip or groin, come and see us in the clinic today!