Sudden pain in the groin area can truly stop you in your tracks. Once you’ve taken a seat and caught your breath, it’s time to narrow down what could be the culprit. There’s a good chance you are suffering from either a groin strain or an inguinal hernia.
Professional athletes are often said to be down with a groin strain, which occurs when groin muscles or tendons are over-stretched and strained – or even torn. A sudden, awkward movement or change in direction can cause this, and it’s typically felt immediately.
The primary groin strain symptom is pain that ranges from a dull ache to severe, sharp pain. Some other symptoms include bruising, tenderness, difficulty moving the leg, and muscle weakness or spasms. While groin strains most often impact athletes and are more common in younger people, they can happen to anyone.
A hernia develops when a weak spot in a wall of muscle allows an organ or fatty tissue to bulge through the weakened area. An inguinal hernia occurs when a loop of intestine or other tissue protrudes through the inguinal canal, which is located in the groin near the top of the thigh. The part that sticks through the hole feels like a bulge or lump, and it usually grows larger over time.
Pain from an inguinal hernia typically comes on suddenly (just like pain from a groin strain). It could happen when lifting a heavy item or twisting/moving in an odd way and is most common in men. The telltale bulge can sometimes be pushed back in, but that does not fix the problem. There is still a hole in the muscle wall, so the lump will return. Other symptoms include pain and weakness in the area. The pain may worsen when sneezing, coughing, laughing, lifting, or bending.
Some inguinal hernias may not present with a noticeable lump, in which case it can be tough to determine whether you have a hernia or a groin strain. However, it’s very important to find out which one it is. While groin strains usually heal with a combination of rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications, hernias most often require surgery to relieve the pain and eliminate the risk of life-threatening complications.
Because it’s essential to know whether you have an inguinal hernia or a groin strain, request an appointment today with Dr. John Uecker to get a definitive diagnosis. Both of these conditions are treatable, and you deserve to be living an active, pain-free life.
Source: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0615/p844.html
_________________________________________________________________
John M Uecker, M.D. has been in practice in Austin since 2003. His practice focuses on the surgical treatment of hernias, gallstones, GERD, hiatal hernias and thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal tumors. He started and leads the robotic surgery program at Dell Seton Medical Center. Dr. Uecker is the Division Chief of minimally invasive surgery and an Associate Professor at the University of Texas Dell Medical School where he enjoys teaching medical students and residents.
