Groin injury causing hamstring and glute tightness?

[alankt]

I have had a groin strain problem since mid June, 2008 (i.e. for about 6 months).

The problem started after being assessed by a Pilates teacher. She placed a rubber ring between my knees and told me to squeeze it 10 times. A day or so later, my inner thighs became sore but I continued my 3 times a week running routine hoping the pain would disappear. Gradually, the pain moved up closer to my groin.

I also strained (perhaps tore) an abdominal muscle after lying on my back across a fitball to stretch my abdominal muscles.

After a month, I stopped running but the groin pain remains and to a lesser degree, the abdominal muscle pain. However, the groin pain is not as severe as when the injury first occurred.

During my recovery process, I have done some stretching exercises, some walking and bike riding but they don’t help and seem to inflame the problem.

Currently I am working with hydro therapist who has given me some exercise to do in the pool but they too are not helping.

When not on anti inflammatory drugs, I have slight groin pain but I suffer from tight hamstrings and glutes and pain in my calves. I also have on and off pain in my hips, particularly the left hip.

I have seen multiple doctors, physiotherapists and a chiropractor. I have had an x-ray, ultra sound and a CT scan of my pelvis but nothing can be found to explain my symptoms. I also saw a surgeon to confirm that I don’t have a hernia.

Is it possible that the tightness in my hamstrings and glutes is due to the groin injury?

[Heidi]

Hi

The tightness in your hamstrings could definately be contributing. I would start a stretching program, concentrating on the whole leg (hamstrings, quads, gluts, groin and calves inparticular).

Stretch three times a day, holding each stretch for 30 seconds and repeating twice. Never stretch into pain, move to the point where you can feel a gentle stretch and hold it still (don't bounce). If the stretch fades, move a little bit further until you can feel it again.

You can find more stretches here:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/stretching/allstretches.php

Other things that are definately worth trying if you haven't already are massage and ultrasound to the groin area and massage to the hamstrings too if they are as tight as you say.

Other than that all I can suggest is a full biomechanical assessment to highlight muscle imbalances and any structural problems which may be preventing the groin from healing.

Good luck!

[alankt]

Thanks Heidi.

I have in fact improved quite a lot in the last week. I have been exercising in a pool and massaging voltaren into my groin area.

I don't know which is helping but I'll keep doing it for a while and then try to return to walking/running.