Key Highlights: 

• Groin pain can make walking difficult. 
• Common causes include strains, labral tears, hip impingement, inguinal hernia, and tendinitis. 
• Less common causes include sports-related injuries, infections, and hip fractures. 
• Diagnosing groin pain includes exams, imaging studies, and possibly X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds. 
• Treatment options range from home remedies and physical therapy to surgical interventions. 
• Prevention strategies focus on exercise, flexibility, and proper footwear. 
   

Introduction 

Groin pain can interfere with your walking pace. Knowing why you get groin pain while walking is step one towards feeling better. Therefore, it’s critical to spot the cause of groin pain, and more crucial to find suitable fixes to avoid added trouble and boost mobility. This post will walk you through the most common triggers of groin pain and also suggest ways to keep that pain at bay. We will cover everything in detail- the usual causes, how to know what’s wrong, treatment plans, and how to avoid such pain. 

Common Causes of Groin Pain When Walking 

To manage your groin pain while walking, it’s vital to understand the usual reasons for it. These can be as follows. 

1. Groin Strain 

You experience a groin strain when a muscle in the inner thigh gets stretched or torn too much. This can cause pain, swelling, and even bruising in the groin area. It might also lead to leg weakness and muscle spasms. 

Certain things can increase your chances of a groin strain. These include taking part in sports that need swift runs, fast turnarounds, or a lot of stretching. Not warming up enough, feeling tired, or pushing it too hard after a strain can also add to the risk. 

To avoid groin strains, you must keep your groin muscles in good shape. Warm up before moving around and step up exercise levels slowly and carefully. 

Your doctor may prescribe a combination of modalities for the treatment of a groin strain. These include use of ice packs for swelling, compression using an elastic wrap, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy and adequate rest. 
 

In my opinion, if the initial remedies are ineffective for your groin pain, there may be another underlying issue. Give your provider a call if your pain continues. They might wish to schedule more testing or examinations for you.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD

2. Hip Labral Tear 

When the cartilage that edges the hip joint socket (acetabulum) gets hurt or torn, a hip labral tear occurs. It might mean pain and stiffness in the groin area, as well as trouble walking. 

Repetitive or forceful movements, common in games like soccer or hockey, can lead to hip labral tears. Older people and overweight ones face added risk due to wear and tear from age. Hip impingement, which we’ll discuss later, can cause a labral tear too. 

Tell-tale signs of a hip labral tear are: 

• Groin pain 
• Stiffness 
• Clicking or locking feeling in the hip joint. 
   

A labral tear will be detected by your doctor with the help of imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds. These can reveal the injury’s reach. You might then be given medicines, physical therapy, or even surgery if needed. 

3. Hip Impingement 

Hip impingement, or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), happens when there’s a bone flaw either on the hip joint socket (acetabulum) or the top part of the thigh bone (femoral head). This leads to a pinch and pain while moving the leg and may cause labral tears in the long run. 

Congenital defects, trauma, or age-related changes can bring about hip impingement. Usual signs of it are groin pain, stiffness, and less range of motion. 

To find out if you have it, you’ll usually need a physical exam by your healthcare provider and maybe image tests like X-rays or MRIs. Getting relief from pain, physical therapy, or sometimes even surgery could be ways to treat hip impingement. 

4. Inguinal Hernia 

An inguinal hernia happens when tissue, like intestine or fatty tissue, pushes through a weak spot in the belly wall near the groin. In men, the spermatic cord and blood vessels going to the testicles can go through this. In women, it involves the round ligament supporting the womb. 

Signs that an inguinal hernia is possible are: 

• A lump in the groin or scrotum 
• Pain in the groin area that gets worse with activity 
• Feeling full or blocked up in the bowels. 
   

Fixing an inguinal hernia usually needs surgery to mend the fault and get the body back to its regular anatomy. 

In my experience, your doctor’s recommendation for treatment will depend on what is causing your groin pain. Conservative methods, such as rest, and putting ice on the sore spot usually alleviate the pain when a muscular strain is the culprit. 

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

5. Osteoarthritis 

Hip osteoarthritis can cause the cartilage lining joint spaces to wear down slowly. This ends in pain, stiffness, and lessened mobility, affecting walking and other daily tasks. 

Signs of hip and groin osteoarthritis are: 

• Groin pain that gets worse with walking or standing for long periods 
• Stiffness in the joint, more so in the morning and after being still for a while 
• Possible clicking or grinding sensation in the joints when moving. 
   

Managing and avoiding osteoarthritis includes routine exercise, keeping a healthy weight, and sticking to the medications and treatments recommended by your healthcare provider. 

6. Tendinitis 

Tendinitis means inflammation and irritation of tendons – the structures that connect muscles to bones. In the context of groin pain when walking, tendinitis often affects the hip flexor or adductor muscle groups. This ball-and-socket joint plays a major role in movement and balance. 

Pumping up physical activity too soon, overdoing it or not warming up enough before exercise can all cause tendinitis. To treat tendinitis, you will typically be advised to take pain relief drugs, rest, and a slow return to activity guided by a professional. 

It is ideal to consult a healthcare provider to manage your groin pain early on and void self-medication. Your doctor will decide the management depending upon the underlying condition.  

Less Common Causes of Groin Pain When Walking 

There any other causes of groin pain while walking that are less common. Let’s discuss some of them: 

1. Sports-related Injuries 

Sports that require sudden change of directions, jumps, or sharp hits can lead to various injuries resulting in groin pain. It’s crucial to do proper warm-up routines, use protective gear, and not return to activity too soon after an injury to keep risk low. 

Examples of sports-related injuries that cause groin pain include: 

• Hip out-of-place situations or subluxations 
• Breaks or avulsions 
• Ligament sprains or ruptures 
   

Avoid getting these injuries and recovering from them relies on adhering to healthcare providers’ advice. This includes sticking to physical therapy regimes, taking appropriate resting periods, and using protective gear. 

2. Infections and Inflammation 

Infections and inflammation-related issues in the belly and pelvic area can also result in groin pain while walking. Spotting and treating these might need medical review and steps. Examples include: 

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) 
• Epididymitis or orchitis 
• Urinary tract infections 
   

It’s crucial to go to a doctor if you think an infection or inflammation-related issue is present. This will help spot the core trigger and find the right treatment solutions. 

3. Hip Fracture 

A hip fracture, more often seen with trauma, can also bring about groin pain when walking. Stress fractures, in specific, may take place in those who have weaker bone structure or who take part in hard-hitting deeds for a long period. 

Hip fracture signs include: 

• Quick, harsh pain in the hip or groin 
• Not being able to take weight on the affected leg 
• The leg seeming shorter or rotated. 
   

A diagnosis would usually include imaging tests, like X-rays or MRI scans. Depending on the fracture type and how bad it is, treatment options can range from lesser steps to surgery. 

Diagnosing Groin Pain When Walking 

A thorough check and correct diagnosis are key to addressing the root cause of groin pain while walking. The process typically includes the following steps: 

1. Physical Examination 

A healthcare expert or physical therapist will perform a detailed physical exam of the affected area. They will assess movement range, pain levels, and palpate structures for any abnormalities. The review allows them to spot any likely issues and guide further checks. 

What happens during a physical exam? 

• Finding out pain levels and location 
• Range of motion tests 
• Palpation of structures 
• Strength and flexibility checks 
   

2. Imaging Studies 

When needed, imaging tests can help healthcare providers in finding the cause of groin pain. Types of imaging studies done for diagnosing groin pain include: 

3. X-rays 

X-rays help view bone shapes and spot issues like fractures, arthritis, or bone deformities adding to groin pain. They could be a first step in many diagnoses. 

What can you know from X-rays? 

• Bone fractures or off-lining 
• Arthritis changes 
• Bone deformities 
   

4. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 

MRI scans provide a detailed view of soft tissue structures, like muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. They can help diagnose conditions like labral tears, muscle or tendon injuries, and inflammation linked to infections. 

Pros and cons of MRIs: 

• Clear images of soft tissues 
• Doesn’t invade the body or use radiation 
• May see long wait times and not be easily available 
   

5. Ultrasound 

Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to create images of structures inside the body. It could be handy in diagnosing hernias or soft-tissue injuries in the belly and pelvis. 

Benefits and downsides of ultrasound: 

• Quick, doesn’t invade the body, and is widely available 
• Useful for bedside or on-point imaging 
• Limited by the user’s skill level and less sharp in finding out certain structures
   

Also Read: Stabbing Pain Left Side Under Ribs: Possible Causes and Solutions

Management Options for Groin Pain When Walking 

Choosing the right management plan for groin pain while walking relies on knowing its root cause. Options could include the following: 

Home Remedies 

Self-care steps can help lessen pain and discomfort linked to minor groin injuries or strains. Such steps might include: 

1. Rest and Activity Modification 

While you don’t need to stay completely still, changing your activities to avoid worsening the affected area can speed up healing and avoid further hurt. 

2. Ice and Heat Therapy 

Using ice on the affected area within the first 48 hours may help cut down inflammation and ease pain. After the primary period, switching between ice and heat therapy can promote blood flow and soothe sore muscles or joints. 

3. Over-the-counter Medications 

Common drugs for pain relief, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help control symptoms while attending to the underlying cause. Ensure you stick to the suggested doses and ask your healthcare provider if unsure. 

4. Physical Therapy 

Physical therapy can play a major role in fixing groin pain caused by muscular imbalances, joint restrictions, or other soft tissue issues. A physical therapist can chalk out a tailor-made exercise and stretching plan to deal with specific needs and improve overall function. 

5. Surgical Options 

For more difficult cases of groin pain, surgery may be weighed as a treatment choice. Indications for surgery could include: 

• Hip labral tears that don’t answer to lesser management 
• Severe hip impingement 
• Inguinal hernia fix 
   

Strategies to Avoid Groin Pain When Walking 

To reduce the recurrence of groin pain when walking, certain strategies might help. These include: 

1. Warm-up and Cool-down Workouts 

Incorporating warm-ups and cool-downs before and after physical exercises can potentially prep the muscles and joints for movement, lessening the chance of injury. 

2. Strengthening Workouts 

Focusing on key muscle groups, like hip abductors, adductors, and flexors, may help retain steadiness in the area and cut down the likelihood of strains or hurt. 

3. Flexibility and Stretching Workouts 

Practicing flexibility and stretching exercises for the hip and nearby muscles on a regular basis may boost joint mobility and avoid stiffness or tightness that adds to pain. 

4. The Right Shoes and Support 

Wearing shoes that offer enough support and padding aid in lessening the impact on the hip and lower body structures. This might cut down the chance of injury or discomfort. 

Conclusion 

Knowing the causes of groin pain when walking is the first step towards easing your discomfort. It helps to acquaint yourself with the diagnostic steps to work with your healthcare provider in setting up and following a suitable management plan. The aim is to boost your mobility and overall well-being. 

Remember to reach out to your healthcare provider if you’re dealing with groin pain or have concerns about what may cause it. Early focus on your health can make a world of difference in managing and avoiding groin pain while walking in the future. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

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