Physio Opinion: Groin Strains VS Tendinopathies

Groin strains or tendinopathies generally occur with sports such as martial arts, football or ice hockey. The muscle belly-tendon part of the adductor tendon or where this tendon inserts to the pubic (hip) bone is generally tender when pressure is placed on it. The adductor longus muscle is the most commonly injured. Common risk factors to increasing the risk of injury the groin muscles include a weakness in adductor muscles and a core muscle weakness (tranversus abdominals).  

The key differences between groin strains and tendinopathies are notably:

• Strains are acute in nature (a couple of days to a week)
• Tendinopathies are generally chronic (symptoms occurring for greater than 3 months)
• Strains are generally tender where the muscle-tendon junction
• Tendinopathies are generally tender where the tendon attaches to the pubic bone

These injuries can respond very well to physiotherapy management which may include dry needling, manual therapy, extracorporeal shockwave, core stability, stretching and eccentric strengthening rehabilitation programs. Note for that groin related tendon injuries, exercise rehabilitation can take 3-6 weeks before full recovery can occur.