Best Practice Case Studies-Case 111 Asset 6 Adductor Tendon Strain/Groin Strain

Pdf Summary

Adductor tendon strain (groin strain) is an injury involving one or more of the six adductor-region muscles in the groin (adductor brevis, longus, magnus, pectineus, gracilis, obturator externus) or their tendons. These muscles originate on the pelvis and attach to the femur (and in some cases the tibia) and primarily function to pull the thigh toward the body (hip adduction). Groin/adductor strains are common in sports that involve cutting and skating, occurring in about 10–30% of soccer and hockey players.<br /><br />Typical symptoms include immediate groin pain, sometimes a “popping” sensation at the time of injury, and persistent groin discomfort afterward.<br /><br />Evaluation by a sports medicine physician includes a detailed history and physical exam. The doctor inspects for swelling, bruising, deformity, or blood collection, palpates near the pelvic bone for tenderness, and tests adductor strength by having the patient adduct the thigh against resistance; pain or weakness suggests a strain. Imaging may be ordered: x-rays can check for an avulsion fracture where the tendon attachment pulls off a piece of bone, and MRI can show swelling and bleeding around the injury.<br /><br />Treatment is usually non-surgical and commonly includes icing for 20 minutes three times daily, anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen for pain, and sometimes crutches to limit weight-bearing. Physical therapy is often recommended, focusing on core and adductor rehabilitation, typically starting with stretching and progressing to strengthening. Surgery is rarely needed for standard adductor strains, though a related condition (core muscle injury/athletic pubalgia) may require it.<br /><br />Prevention efforts suggest that adductor and core strengthening programs may reduce injury severity, though they may not fully prevent strains.<br /><br />Return-to-play depends on severity: Grade 1 (minimal strength/motion loss) 1–4 weeks; Grade 2 (decreased strength) 3–8 weeks; Grade 3 (complete loss of function) 8–12+ weeks.

Meta Tag

Edition 4th Edition

Related Case 4th Edition, Case 1

Topic Abdomen

Keywords

adductor tendon strain

groin strain

hip adductor muscles

soccer and hockey injuries

sports medicine evaluation

adductor strength test

MRI diagnosis

avulsion fracture x-ray

non-surgical treatment

return-to-play timeline

4th Edition

4th Edition, Case 1

Abdomen