Adductor muscle injuries—commonly referred to as groin strains—are prevalent in sports involving rapid directional changes, sprinting, and kicking, such as football, hockey, dancing and soccer. The adductor complex includes six muscles: adductor longus, brevis, magnus, gracilis, pectineus, and obturator externus. These muscles originate from the pubic bone and insert along the femur and tibia, playing a key role in thigh adduction and pelvic stabilization during fast movements.
Injury typically occurs at the myotendinous junction (near the pubic bone attachment), with the adductor longus being most frequently affected due to its anatomical position and mechanical disadvantage during high-force movements.
Acute strains result from forceful eccentric contractions or overstretching, while chronic injuries stem from inappropriate load management and repetitive stress. Due to the complicated nature of adductor complex injuries, it is imperative to see your OHL physiotherapist for accurate diagnosis through palpation, resisted adduction tests, and functional assessment.
Symptoms include sharp groin pain, tenderness along the muscle belly or tendon, and weakness during adduction. Strains are graded from mild (Grade 1) to complete tears (Grade 3), with imaging such as MRI combined with clinical testing are used selectively to confirm diagnosis or rule out differential conditions.
Other causes of groin pain to consider include iliopsoas-related pain, pubic symphysis disorders, hernias, and hip joint pathology.
Management is typically non-operative and guided by your trusty OHL Physiotherapist. Muscle rehabilitation cases progress through early, middle, and end-stage phases, focusing on gradually restoring muscle strength, flexibility, and functional capacity, and there are key movement and strength milestones (tested by your OHL Physiotherapist) which help you successfully progress through the rehab chapters when you’re ready. Capacity-based rehabilitation is the best method of muscle injury management, with time-based rehabilitation being an inferior way of planning your journey. Surgery is rarely indicated and reserved for complete ruptures or refractory cases.
If you believe you have sustained an injury to your adductor complex, it is important to consult your OHL physiotherapist as soon as possible so an accurate diagnosis and appropriate rehab plan can be made. You can do this by calling 9431 5955 or you can book online via the Client Portal on the website.
