Inflammation of adductor muscles

What are the adductor muscles?

There are five adductor muscles, the pectineus, adductor brevis and adductor longus (called short adductors) go from the pelvis to the thigh bone and the gracilis and adductor magnus (long adductors) go from the pelvis to the knee. The main function of these muscles is to pull the legs together. They are also used quite a lot in sprinting, playing football, horse riding and hurdling. Inflammation of the tendons (tendonitis) that attach the muscles to the bone can occur. It can occur through overuse or as a result of a previous injury such as a groin strain.

What are the symptoms of inflammation of the adductor muscles?

• Pain in the groin at the top of the adductor muscles that can radiate down the leg.
• Pain on resisted hip flexion (video).
• Pain at a specific point on the bone in the groin.
• Pain when you press the legs in together against resistance .
• Have difficulty in running especially sprinting.

What can the athlete do?

• Rest. This is important.
• Apply cold therapy
• Maintain fitness by cycling if you can do it pain free.
• See a sports injury professional who can advise on rehabilitation.

What can a sports injury specialist or doctor do?

• Prescribe anti-inflammatory medication e.g. ibuprofen.
• Use ultrasound or laser treatment.
• Prescribe a full rehabilitation programme to avoid re-injury.
• Use sports massage techniques to aid healing.