At long last, the sun has decided to join the party, thawing everyone out from their winter hibernation and signalling the start of the social touch football season here in the Mount. We love to see so many people getting excited for summer sport, but with this time of year also comes a spike in visits to the physio, as shaking off the cobwebs can often take a little bit longer than expected. 

One of the most common touch football injuries to come into our clinic is the groin strain. Everyone is keen to jump straight onto the touch footy field and execute the perfect evasive step to score a try, but after resting all winter, this can be a recipe for disaster. 

What Are Groin Injuries?

Groin injuries are common in summer sports that involve rapid direction changes and high-intensity movements, such as touch football, Oztag, and rugby 7's. These injuries typically affect the muscles and tendons in the inner thigh, leading to pain and reduced mobility. 

The fast-paced nature of these games, combined with sudden starts, stops, and lateral movements, places significant strain on the groin area, increasing the risk of strains and tears. Players often experience symptoms like sharp pain during movement, swelling, and difficulty in performing basic activities, highlighting the importance of proper conditioning and warm-up routines to mitigate these risks.

Types of Groin Injuries:

1. Muscle Strain: This is the most common type of groin injury. It occurs when the muscles of the inner thigh (adductors) are overstretched or torn when rapidly stepping to the side. Strains can range from mild discomfort to severe tearing of the muscle and are associated with a reduction of function immediately following.
2. Tendonitis: This is the inflammation of the tendons in the groin area, often resulting from repetitive stress or overuse. It can lead to pain and stiffness, particularly during activity. These commonly occur when you have a major spike in your activity level, for example, sitting on your tushie all winter and then playing 4 games of touch per week in summer.
3. Sports Hernia: Although not a traditional groin injury, a sports hernia can cause similar symptoms and often occurs in athletes who engage in explosive movements. It involves a tear in the soft tissue of the groin area and can often be misdiagnosed as a muscle injury.

Muscle Anatomy of the Groin:

The groin area comprises several key muscles that play a crucial role in movement, stability, and athletic performance. The primary muscles involved include:

• Adductor Longus: Located in the upper inner thigh, this muscle helps bring the leg toward the body.
• Adductor Brevis: Found beneath the adductor longus, it assists in hip adduction and flexion.
• Adductor Magnus: The largest of the adductor group, this muscle aids in adduction and extension of the hip.
• Gracilis: A thin muscle running down the inner thigh, it helps with hip adduction and knee flexion.
• Pectineus: Located near the top of the thigh, it assists in hip flexion and adduction.

Understanding this anatomy is essential for recognising how groin injuries can occur and how they affect overall mobility and what movements you should expect to be limited post injury.

Grades of Groin Injuries:

Groin injuries are typically classified into three grades based on their severity:

Return to Play Recommendations:

Returning to play after a groin injury involves several key steps:

1. Initial Rest and Ice: After injury, rest is crucial. Ice the area to reduce swelling and pain for the first 48 hours. Avoid stretching the injured muscle and taking ibuprofen. In this phase of the healing we want to allow an inflammatory process to happen to effectively knit the muscle fibres back together.
2. Rehabilitation: Once the initial pain decreases, see your physiotherapist for an assessment. They will provide you with a rehabilitation program that is individualised to your injury. In the early stages, this program will include isometric strengthening, slowly building into concentric strengthening, and strengthening in stretch positions. .
3. Gradual Return: Beginning with low-impact activities before progressing to sports-specific movements is vital. The first time you test out your groin to see if it has improved shouldn’t be on the touch footy field. Listen to your body and avoid rushing the process.
4. Full Function Testing: Before returning to competitive play, ensure you can perform all necessary movements without pain or limitation. These movements would include lateral jumps, broad jumps, lateral hopping, high speed change of direction, and leg swings.
5. Preventive Measures: Once back in action, incorporate strength and flexibility training into your routine to help prevent future injuries throughout the touch football season. Be aware that once you have sustained a groin injury, the incidence of sustaining another one increases. It is vital to continue with strengthening throughout the entirety of the season. 

Conclusion:

Groin injuries can be frustrating, but understanding their types, grades, and recovery guidelines can help you navigate the healing process. If you experience a groin injury, consulting a physiotherapist for a personalised assessment and rehabilitation program is essential for a full recovery. With the right approach, you can return to your favourite activities safely and effectively.

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