Groin pain can occur following injuries and various medical conditions, including thigh muscle strains or hernias. The pain caused by this complication is felt in a different way in each person depending on the cause, and you may feel the pain worsen with certain movements. Many factors can contribute to this pain, the most common reason is damage to the muscle or tendon in the groin. Usually, this complication occurs when the muscles are stretched, this condition occurs mostly during exercise. Except sports injuries other factors such as hip arthritis, hernia, urinary tract infection, ovarian cyst, bone fracture and nervous system problems can play a role. Is groin pain common? This complication is a common problem in all ages and all people, especially athletes; But it's not like you have such a problem just because of your exercise. The lifestyle of people and the amount of physical activity you have can play a role in creating it. Getting to know the cause of groin pain Groin pain can be caused by damage or irritation of various areas including muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints in the groin area. Some of the common causes of groin pain are: ### Muscle injuries (muscle strain or tear) One of the most common causes of pain is muscle strain or tear. Muscle strain may occur when a person makes a sudden movement and jumps or puts a lot of pressure on the muscles, which is more common in sports such as football, basketball or running. #### Symptoms: - Sudden pain in the groin - restriction of movement and feeling of stiffness in the groin area - Sensitivity and swelling in the affected area ### damage to tendons or tendonitis Tendonitis occurs when the tendons that connect muscles to bones become inflamed. Athletes or people who do a lot of physical activities may suffer from tendonitis. #### Symptoms: - Pain and inflammation in the place where the tendons connect to the bone - Severe pain when moving or pressing the area - Swelling and stiffness in the affected area ### Inguinal hernia An inguinal hernia occurs when part of the body's tissue protrudes through a weak point or gap in the muscle wall. This hernia can occur in the groin area and you can also have groin pain and heavy feeling. #### Symptoms: - Observation of the protrusion in the groin area - pain or feeling of heaviness when lifting objects or physical activities - Pain when coughing or sneezing ### damage to the hip joint The hip joint is another main cause of groin pain. Problems such as arthrosis and hip dysplasia can cause pain in the groin area. In these cases, the pain is usually felt in the thigh and groin area and may spread to the back and knees. #### Symptoms: - deep pain in the groin area and spreading to the knee - Limited movement in the hip joint - feeling of stiffness and pain when sitting or standing up ### Lower back problems Back problems, such as a damaged disc, can lead to pressure on the sciatic nerve, which spreads to the groin area. This type of pain is transmitted from the back to the groin as a shooting pain. #### Symptoms: - Spreading shooting pain that goes from the waist to the groin and even lower - Numbness or weakness in the leg - burning or tingling sensation in the groin In general, the initial pain of this complication can occur for the following reasons: Sports and movement injuries - Sports hernia - Extrusion fracture - fracture of the femur - groin strain - hip fracture - osteitis pubis ### Hernias - Inguinal hernia - femoral hernia ### Pelvic problems - bursitis - hip fracture - pelvic labrum tear - osteoarthritis ### Nervous system conditions - nerve compression - herniated disc - Spondylolisthesis ### problems related to urology - epididymitis - Prostatitis - testicular cancer - testicular torsion - Varicocele ### Obstetrics and Gynecology problems - ectopic pregnancy - Endometriosis - ovarian cyst - ovarian torsion - round ligament pain ### Gastrointestinal problems - appendicitis - Diverticulitis - Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) ### cause of secondary groin pain Secondary groin pain may occur after various surgeries, including the following: - Hernia repair surgery - hip joint replacement How does groin pain feel? You experience the pain caused by this complication in the form of stretching, tearing or sensitivity. Some people experience this condition as a sharp pain. These symptoms may occur during certain activities or when you are in a certain position such as sitting or lying down. You may also feel the worst pain when you wake up and are getting out of bed. Usually you feel good at the beginning of the day, and as time passes and the evening approaches, the pain increases. In general, depending on its cause, pain is felt in different ways, which we will explain below. ### groin strain Severe pain is felt during an injury, such as a strain or tear, and the pain continues during exercise. ### Inguinal hernia The pain gradually worsens during the day. The pain may ease when you lie on your back and feel worse when you sit. It may cause pain when coughing and sneezing. ### Sports hernia Severe pain with burning that may spread to other areas, including the upper thigh, lower abdomen, and back. When you try to get out of bed, you may feel a sharp pain. Symptoms improve with rest; But when you start moving again, the pain comes back. ### Arthritis of the hip joint The pain is usually worse in the morning and evening. It may also decrease with light movements; But it gets worse with vigorous movements. Sometimes, some people find it difficult to move after resting for a while. ### torn hip labrum If this condition exists, a deep pain is felt in the groin or pelvis, and you may notice a popping or clicking sensation when you move. ### herniated disc Severe and fatal pain that may spread to the leg. How is it diagnosed? Accurate diagnosis of groin pain is based on medical history, physical examination, and various tests. Some of the usual diagnostic steps are as follows: ### Physical examination The doctor will carefully examine the painful area and will ask about the time the pain started, the type of activities and its intensity. Also, some specific movements may be asked from the patient to determine which muscles or structures are damaged. ### Imaging If necessary, the doctor may use imaging methods such as radiography (X-ray), ultrasound or MRI (MRI) to identify muscle, tendon or joint injuries. ### Blood test If the doctor suspects the presence of infection or inflammation in the body, he may prescribe a blood test to check the level of inflammation and infection.