Groin / Adductor Strain
A groin or adductor strain is an injury to the muscles on the inside of the thigh, common in sports involving kicking, sprinting or rapid change of direction. Assessment and structured rehabilitation support a safe return to sport.
30-minute appointments as standard · No referral required
What is Groin/Adductor Strain?
A groin or adductor strain involves stretching or tearing of the muscles on the inside of the thigh, commonly occurring during kicking, sprinting or sudden change-of-direction movements. It’s a common injury in football, soccer and other field sports.
This can include sudden pain in the groin or inner thigh during activity, tightness, or difficulty with kicking or sprinting. Severity varies significantly, from mild strains to more significant tears.
How We Assess Groin/Adductor Strain
Assessment includes understanding how the injury occurred, your current symptoms, and your strength and flexibility through the adductors and surrounding muscles.
We assess strength, flexibility and function, including how your groin responds to loaded movements such as adduction exercises or change of direction, to understand the extent of the injury and guide rehabilitation.
Treatment and Rehabilitation Approach
Treatment typically progresses from managing initial symptoms, through progressive strengthening, to kicking and sprint-specific loading as part of a staged return.
This sits within our broader hip and groin pain and sports physiotherapy approach, with particular focus on reducing the risk of recurrence, which is common with this injury.
Looking for help with a Groin / Adductor Strain?
An assessment can help identify the factors contributing to your symptoms and guide the next steps.
Symptoms
Sudden pain in the groin or inner thigh
Often occurs during kicking, sprinting or a sudden change of direction.
Tightness or difficulty kicking
Discomfort with kicking, adduction movements or bringing the legs together is common.
Pain with resisted movement
Pain when squeezing the legs together or resisting movement of the affected leg.
Causes and Risk Factors
Kicking and sprinting
Groin strains commonly occur during kicking, sprinting or rapid change-of-direction movements.
Strength for kicking and change-of-direction
Adductor strength through the ranges used in kicking and change-of-direction movement can lag behind training demands and increase strain risk.
Previous groin injury
A prior groin strain is a known factor associated with future injury risk, which is why rehabilitation matters.
Return-to-Sport Considerations
Restore pain-free movement
Early rehabilitation focuses on settling symptoms and restoring comfortable walking, before kicking and change-of-direction movements are reintroduced.
Rebuild strength through kicking range
Strength is rebuilt in stages, including exercises that load the adductors specifically through the ranges used in kicking and change-of-direction movement.
Return to kicking and sprinting gradually
Kicking, sprinting and sport-specific demands are reintroduced progressively, guided by how the groin responds, to help reduce the risk of recurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a groin strain take to heal?
This varies significantly depending on severity, from a couple of weeks for a mild strain to longer for more significant injuries.
Can I keep training with a groin strain?
This depends on severity — your physiotherapist can guide you on what’s safe to continue and what needs to be modified.
Do I need a scan for a groin strain?
Not always required, though imaging may be recommended for more significant injuries or if recovery isn’t progressing as expected.
Why do groin strains keep happening?
Recurrence is common with this injury, often related to incomplete rehabilitation or returning to sport before strength and control are fully restored — this is a key focus of our approach.