Adductor Tendinopathy
What is it?
The adductors are a group of muscles on the inside of the upper leg and groin area which help to stabilise the pelvis. It is a common site of injury in activities with high running loads, kicking and rapid changes of direction.
Typical symptoms/features
- Gradual onset which is usually related to increased load
- Pain in the groin on one or both sides – pain may also be felt in the lower abdominal region or radiate down the inside of the leg
- Pain may be present during and/or after activity and may accompanied by stiffness after a period of rest
- Pain on stretching the groin muscles
- Pain when squeezing legs together
Management
- Activity modification
- When you first start noticing hip pain, it may help to reduce your activity for a short amount of time to allow the pain to settle
- However, there is strong evidence that says keeping active and slowly returning to your normal levels of activity can actually help the pain to settle quicker
- Ice or heat
- Pain relief
- Physiotherapy including range of movement exercises and a graded strengthening programme
Do I need imaging?
Imaging (X-rays or scans) are rarely required to diagnose hip adductor pain.
Many people, even without hip pain, will have findings on imaging such as joint space changes, and osteoarthritic changes.
These findings are unlikely to change how your hip pain is initially managed.
X-rays and scans are most appropriately used after a serious injury.
