My Thigh Hurts!
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Acute Groin Pain |
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The groin is the area (like a crease) that connects the lower abdomen with the upper thighs. One of the most common causes of acute groin pain is groin pull or groin strain. This occurs when the muscles that connect the thigh to the pelvic bones are strained or pulled. This is most often a traumatic injury due to sports or sudden twisting or falling with heavy sudden weight bearing or twisting to the leg. This feels like a constant ache in the groin and can be worse with certain movements or weight bearing. Rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen (provided that you do not have any contraindications for using these medicines) are appropriate conservative interventions for this kind of injury.
Another cause of acute groin pain is a hernia, which is a weakness in the muscles of the abdominal wall, allowing the bowel that normally lives behind those muscles pop through and bulge out. This feels like a pain that is worse with straining, standing, or coughing, and usually accompanied by a bulge in the groin area. If the bulge goes in and out with minimal effort or discomfort, the pain is usually intermittent. If the bulge gets stuck out, it is constantly painful, and very dangerous, as the blood supply to that part of the bowel can be cut off and the bowel tissue can be seriously damaged. Other acute causes of groin pain can be radiated or referred pain from other conditions. Often, acute kidney stone pain is felt in the back or side and travels down into the groin area. This is felt as sharp and either intermittent or constant pain. In men, testicular conditions, such as torsion (where the testicle twists and gets stuck, cutting off the blood supply) are often felt in the groin. Testicular torsion is also a dangerous condition because of the possibility of permanent damage to the testicle. Orthopedic doctors are appropriate for groin pull injuries. Surgeons evaluate hernias and urologists evaluate and treat kidney or testicular problems. An internist, family practice or general practice physician can also assist in evaluating acute groin pain and treating it or referring to other specialists as needed. |
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