Groin Strain

Groin strains typically cause pain during specific movements like bringing your legs together or lifting your knee, with tenderness in the inner thigh muscles. However, groin pain can also result from hip problems, hernias, stress fractures, or other conditions. Our medical providers perform comprehensive evaluations to distinguish between these possibilities. Warning signs that suggest something more serious include severe pain at rest, visible bulges, numbness or tingling, or inability to bear weight. If you're uncertain about the cause of your groin pain, it's best to seek professional evaluation.

No appointment is necessary. We welcome walk-ins daily from 8am to 8pm at both our Palm Beach Gardens and Stuart locations. However, you're welcome to call ahead if you have questions about whether urgent care is appropriate for your injury.

Not all groin strains require imaging. Our medical providers determine the need for X-rays based on your injury mechanism, symptoms, and physical examination findings. X-rays are typically ordered to rule out hip fractures, stress fractures, or bone abnormalities when the clinical presentation suggests these possibilities. We have on-site X-ray capabilities for rapid evaluation when imaging is indicated.

Continuing activities that stress the injured area can worsen the strain and significantly delay healing. According to sports medicine guidelines, the initial treatment phase requires relative rest, meaning you should avoid activities that cause pain while maintaining gentle movement that doesn't aggravate symptoms. Your provider will give you specific activity restrictions based on your strain severity and a timeline for gradually returning to exercise. Most patients can maintain cardiovascular fitness through activities that don't stress the groin, such as upper body exercises or gentle swimming once initial pain subsides.

Please bring your photo ID, insurance card if applicable, and a list of current medications. If you're an athlete or the injury occurred during a specific activity, information about your training routine or the injury mechanism helps us provide more targeted treatment recommendations. Wearing loose-fitting shorts or athletic wear makes the examination easier.

Prevention strategies include proper warm-up before activities, regular stretching of the hip and groin muscles, progressive strength training for the inner thigh muscles (adductors), and avoiding sudden increases in training intensity. According to research published in sports medicine journals, athletes who perform specific adductor strengthening exercises have significantly lower rates of groin strains. Our providers can demonstrate appropriate exercises and provide guidance on safe progression back to your activities.

Visit the emergency room if you experience severe pain with inability to bear any weight, visible deformity, signs of severe muscle tear with a large gap in the muscle, or if you have numbness, tingling, or color changes in your leg that might indicate nerve or blood vessel injury. For typical groin strains with localized pain and preserved ability to walk (even if painful), urgent care is the appropriate setting for evaluation and treatment.

Pain management is an important part of groin strain treatment. Our medical providers may recommend or prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, or other appropriate pain relief options based on your pain level and medical history. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your pharmacy. We also provide guidance on safe use of over-the-counter pain relievers and non-medication pain management strategies like ice therapy and proper positioning.