Groin Pain Or Swelling
What Is Groin Pain Or Swelling?
Groin pain or groin swelling refers to pain, discomfort, inflammation, or abnormal sensations in the area where your stomach meets your upper thigh. You can also get it in or around the fold between your belly area and thigh.
Causes Of Groin Pain Or Swelling
Groin pain or swelling can stem from a variety of causes, ranging from muscle or tendon strain to underlying medical conditions.
While sports injuries are a common trigger, other issues involving nearby organs, nerves, or joints may also be the cause of groin pain or swelling.
Common causes include:
Muscle, Bone and Nerve-Related Causes
- Hernia
- Bone injury or stress fracture
- A pinched nerve or sciatica
- Hip arthritis
Reproductive and Urological Causes
- Testicular torsion
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Ovarian cysts
Infections and Inflammation
- Groin irritation or infection
- Swollen lymph nodes (swollen glands)
- Appendicitis
Other Internal issues
- Kidney stone
Surgeries That Can Cause Groin Pain
Certain medical procedures may lead to groin pain as a complication – most commonly hernia repair and hip replacement surgery.
This can occur if materials used during surgery, such as mesh or sutures, irritate or compres nearby erves, leading to neuropathic pain.
It’s also worth noting that groin pain may be caused by the hernia itself, even without medical intervention or treatment. Both strangulated hernias (where blood supply is cut off) and inguinal hernia (where the intestinal tissues push through a weak spot in the abdominal wall) can cause significant discomfort in the area.
How To Tell If You Have Groin Pain Or Swelling
Pain in the groin area can feel like pulling, tearing, or tenderness, and it may worsen during certain activities or in certain positions. Some report that the pain is constant, while others may experience groin pain that comes and goes.
Some common signs of groin pain or swelling include:
- Pain when moving your hip
- Walking with a limp because of pain
- A tender groin
- A lump that forms in your groin
- Swelling
- Muscle spasms or weakness around the groin
- Difficulty walking or running
Because groin pain can be a symptom of many different conditions, it does not feel the same for everyone. There will be some variations in what you might feel and what others describe, depending on if the cause is a groin lymph node swelling, groin hernia, or something else.
| Causes of groin pain | What groin pain feels like |
|---|---|
|
Groin Strain |
Typically a sudden, sharp pain during the moment of injury, with lingering discomfort that worsens during exercise.
|
|
Athletic Pubalgia
(Sports Hernia) |
Typically a sharp, burning pain that may spread to nearby areas and flares up when getting out of bed; it improves with rest but returns during movement.
|
|
Hip Osteoarthritis |
Typically a deep, aching pain that’s worse in the morning and evening, improves slightly with light movement, but worsens with more intense activity. |
|
Hip Labral Tear |
Typically a deep pain in the hip or groin area, possibly with a popping or clicking sound when moving. |
|
Herniated Disk
(Slipped Disk) |
Typically a sharp, stabbing pain that travels down the leg from the lower back or hip. |
What To Be Concerned About With Groin Pain Or Swelling
Most groin pain or swelling will go away by itself, but you should see your doctor if you are concerned it could be something worse or notice the following:
- You have very severe pain
- Pain doesn’t improve after a few days
- There’s a lump or swelling in your testicle
- There’s a lump in your groin
- You have pain in your abdomen
- Suspect you have hernia symptoms
Seek emergency care for groin pain or swelling if you experience any of the symptoms below, as they could indicate a more serious condition. Possible causes for groin pain with the following symptoms could be testicular infection, testicular torsion (twisted testicle), and testicular cancer.
- Severe pain (and swelling) in your testicles that happens very quickly
- Groin pain plus blood in your urine
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever
- Painful, visible swelling on one side of your scrotum.
- A visible lump in your testicle.
- Sudden, severe pain in a hernia.
- Inflammation or changes in skin colour near a hernia.
- Pain that spreads to your lower back, chest, or abdomen
Book an Appointment With Our Specialist Today
If you have groin pain or groin swelling, schedule a consultation with us for a proper medical examination. We can also recommend a suitable treatment plan for your condition following the assessment.
How Groin Pain Or Swelling Is Diagnosed
Your doctor may request a detailed medical history and discuss your symptoms. Questions you may be asked include these:
- Where the pain is located and what it feels like
- What you were doing when it began
- What makes it worse or better
- Whether the pain radiates (spreads out) to other areas
- Whether you feel pain when you cough or sneeze
- How the pain affects walking or other movements
- Whether you hear or feel a popping or clicking in your hip
Your doctor may also do a physical exam to find the cause of your groin pain or swelling. The following may be involved during the physical examination:
- Careful examination of your groin and surrounding areas, like the back and hip
- Prompts to try certain movements to see what causes discomfort
- Palpation or pressing on certain areas to locate pain or tenderness
- Insertion of a finger into the groin area as the patient coughs, to push the intestines into the opening of a hernia and make it more detectable
Your doctor may recommend additional tests, such as bloodwork (e.g. complete blood count), imaging scans (CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray), or specific hernia assessments to investigate the cause of your symptoms more thoroughly.
Possible Treatment Options For Groin Pain And Swelling
Minor groin injuries may heal on their own with rest and self-care, but this might take several weeks. However, because groin pain and swelling can also be signs of underlying medical conditions, it’s best to have a doctor assess your symptoms before starting any treatment on your own.
Once a proper diagnosis is made, your recovery plan will depend on the cause of your symptoms.
In cases where self-care is appropriate, you may be advised to:
- Avoid bending, heavy lifting, or physical activities that worsen the pain.
- Refrain from wearing tight clothing over the area.
- Apply an ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth to the area for 20 minutes at a time, every 2 to 3 hours.
If symptoms persist or if a medical condition is diagnosed, other treatment options may include:
- Pain relief with paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Physical therapy
- Surgery, in cases such as bone fractures or inguinal hernias
Symptoms
Consult Our Specialist About Groin Pain Or Swelling
See a doctor for early detection and diagnosis, so you can receive the proper medical advice and treatment to manage your symptoms effectively. Book a consultation with us today!