Groin Pain In Children: Causes, Treatment, And Prevention

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The groin region refers to the hip area between the abdomen and the thighs. Groin pain in children can result from straining of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, or bones in the groin region. A muscle injury in the groin may also lead to pain. Children participating in sports may experience it more often, and parents may help them deal with it by seeking medical attention upon the persistence of symptoms.

The following post discusses the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of groin pain in children.

Causes And Risk Factors For Groin Pain In Children

It is difficult to ascertain the exact cause of groin pain in children. Generally, the pain in the groin area develops due to a recent injury to the groin muscles or pelvis. It can occur due to (1) (2)

• A previous injury.
• Heavy lifting and sudden falls.
• Heavy workouts without adequate warm-up, leading to muscle strain or tear.
• Excessive exercise.
• A Sudden change in direction while running, usually in sports.
• The spreading of the legs too far during stretching activities.
• Accidents or injury to the muscle in the groin area.
• The inward turning of the hips, which may impair the hip joint and lead to groin pain.
• Scrotal contusionⁱA bruise on the scrotum due to trauma , bruise, or injury to the scrotal sac caused due to impact.
• Athletic pubalgia, also known as sports herniaⁱ A condition characterized by groin or lower abdominal pain due to reaper twisting of the pelvis in sports such as hockey and soccer .
• Hip problems such as hip rheumatoid arthritisⁱ An autoimmune disease that causes stiffness, swelling, and pain in the hip joints , septic arthritisⁱ A painful infection of the joint caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi traveling from another infected part of the body , developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)ⁱA condition caused due to incomplete development of the hip socket that may sometimes lead to hip dislocation , transient synovitisⁱ An inflammation of the lining of the hip causing pain and limping , femoral epiphysisⁱA hip disorder in pre-teens and teens in which the ball of the femur detaches from it and slips out of the hip socket , and juvenile idiopathic arthritisⁱAn inflammation of the bones, tissues, and joints leading to stiffness, pain, and fatigue .

Quick fact

An inguinal hernia or a urinary tract infection may also cause groin pain in children (1) (2).

Symptoms Of Groin Pain

The symptoms of groin pain in children can be mild to moderate and heal on their own. In some rare cases, the symptoms can cause severe pain and be persistent. Your child may not be able to express their discomfort due to groin pain, but parents and caregivers can note these signs and symptoms (3).

• Acute hip pain and restricted and painful range of motion of the hip joint
• Abrupt knee pain, joint pain, and thigh pain due to adductor strain
• Difficulty lifting the knee
• Unusual walking style due to joint pain
• Tenderness, swelling, and bruising in the groin area
• Reluctance to walk or limping occasionally
• Growth near the testicular or pubic region (genital region)
• Change in skin color in and around the groin area
• Weakness in the legs

When To See A Doctor?

Parents and caregivers should get a doctor’s appointment if the symptoms of groin injury do not get better even after rest. Also, the following signs and symptoms warrant immediate medical attention (4).

• Sudden or acute onset of pain in the groin region and knee pain after some exercise or sports
• Change of color or swelling of the upper thigh region
• Difficulty moving the leg, numbness, or weakness in the leg

Point to consider

Seek medical attention if groin pain is accompanied by swelling of the scrotum, burning sensation, or blood in urine (2).

How To Treat Groin Pain At Home?

The first step in treating groin pain is to identify the underlying cause. The patients are usually advised to get adequate rest and not involve in strenuous activities. It is essential to adhere to the advice of an orthopedic specialist and perform activity modification.

Groin pain usually subsides naturally in a month or two; however, the following actions can help improve muscle strength and speed up the healing process (5) (6) (7).

• Cold therapy: A towel wrapped over an ice bag can be applied to the groin area a few times a day for 10 to 20 minutes to relieve the pain and reduce swelling.

• Warm therapy: A hot water bag or a heating pad can be applied to the groin area once the swelling is gone. A cold and warm treatment may also reduce thigh pain and joint pain.

• Medicine: Prescription pain medications and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can be taken to get relief. However, consult a doctor for the right dose.

• Addressing the cause: If an exercise or workout routine is the cause of the groin pain, it is easy to stop or modify that in particular and allow the body to heal itself. A physiotherapist can provide training and workout guidance to strengthen the muscles and heal injuries.

• Walking aids: To assist walking, a doctor may prescribe walking crutches. A groin support bandage can be applied to wrap the groin area and minimize muscle strain.

• Strength and flexibility: Some groin injuries, including hip flexor strainⁱ An tear in the upper hip muscles that connect to the hip caused by sudden movements and adductor tendinopathyⁱA condition in which the tendons in the inner thigh and groin area become painful due to repeated strain in the area , are caused due to low flexibility and reduced muscle strength in the region. Such groin injuries can be managed by doing activities that increase core muscle strength.

How To Prevent Groin Pain In Children?

A groin injury or pain can be prevented by letting the child know their strengths and limits and adhering to a healthy warm-up and exercise routine (8). If the child has a history of groin pain, care must be taken to avoid injuries.

• Do not overstrain the muscles if pain or weakness is felt.

• Encourage the child to take up a new physical activity or resume a sport at a slow pace. Once they regain their strength and agility, they can gradually increase the intensity and duration.

• A good warm-up routine before playing a sport and a cool-down activity after the session can help avoid muscle injuries.

• Follow an exercise routine to develop good core strength in the body; this will help prevent muscle injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I support my child during their recovery from groin pain?

To aid your child’s healing from groin pain, make sure they receive adequate rest. Apply ice packs to reduce swelling and offer age-appropriate over-the-counter pain relief. Follow a healthcare professional’s advice for gentle stretching and strengthening exercises. If the pain persists or worsens, consult a doctor.

2. How is groin pain in children diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose groin pain in children by asking about the injury, symptoms, and performing a thorough physical examination. This process involves questioning and assessing to determine the cause of the pain accurately (8). The questions could be about the pain’s location, intensity, duration, or anything triggering. The doctor might also ask whether the pain makes a popping sound or if it radiates to other parts of the body. After the physical examination, the doctor may suggest a few tests (if needed), such as an Ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.

However, it is essential to note that your doctor may not ask you to do all the tests stated above. Groin pain in each child may differ, and the health care provider may only ask you to do the tests if they think they are needed for the child (8).

Groin pain is common in children and teens who participate in sports and do exercise and heavy workouts. Fortunately, groin pain is not debilitating in most cases, and the child can recover by taking proper rest and following the doctor’s advice. However, if the symptoms persist, a doctor’s advice is necessary to avoid further damage.

Infographic: How To Reduce Groin Strain In Children?

Your child can do groin stretch exercises to reduce or avoid strain-related pain. It is better to seek your doctor’s instructions before beginning groin exercises correctly and safely based on individual factors. Avoid exercises if the child has severe pain. Go through the infographic to know the best exercises for groin strain and when to begin them.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

• Groin pain is a common problem in children caused by sprains, strains, inadequate warm-up, improper heavy lifting, injuries, and medical conditions.
• A doctor’s diagnosis is necessary if pain, swelling, numbness, or movement restrictions persist despite adequate rest and affect daily functioning.
• Physiotherapy, hot or cold therapy, medications, walking aids, and rest can help treat groin pain.
• Core strengthening exercises can also help with treatment.
• Proper warm-up and cool-down, gradual increase in activity intensity or duration, and avoiding muscle overuse can prevent groin pain.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Groin Problems and Injuries.
   https://www.mottchildren.org/health-library/groin
2. Groin pain.
   https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003111.htm
3. Groin Pain.
   https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/sig46230spec
4. Groin pain and when to call a doctor.
   https://physio-soton.co.uk/groin-pain-and-when-to-call-a-doctor/
5. Groin Strain: Care Instructions.
   https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=abr4623
6. Groin Strain in Children: Care Instructions.
   https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.groin-strain-in-children-care-instructions.abr4627
7. Groin Pain in the Adolescent Athlete.
   https://www.hss.edu/conditions_groin-pain-adolescent-athlete.asp
8. P Hölmich et al; (2010); Exercise program for prevention of groin pain in football players: a cluster-randomized trial.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19883386/
9. Groin Pain.
   https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/groin-pain

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Dr. Arva M BhavnagarwalaMBBS, DNB

Dr. Arva Bhavnagarwala did her post-graduation from Masina Hospital in Mumbai and worked at Jaslok Hospital and Research Center as a Clinical Associate. With seven years of experience, she currently practices pediatrics at her private clinic in South Mumbai and is attached to Masina Hospital as a consultant pediatrician.

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Anshuman MohapatraM.Tech (Biotechnology)

Anshuman Mohapatra is a biotechnology scientist with more than six years of research experience in analytical chemistry and biotechnology. He has submitted his PhD thesis at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) and served as a research fellow (JRF/SRF) during his PhD tenure.

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Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

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Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

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