Sports enthusiasts have probably heard of the term ‘groin injury’. Many people, however, may ask which part of the body the groin is in. What is a groin injury all about? The groin commonly refers to the inguinal inner central area joining the top of the thigh and the lower abdomen. This is the point of muscle attachment comprising a number of ligaments and tendons such as the iliofemoral ligament, pubic ligament and iliopsoas tendon, etc., which prevent the overstretching of the pelvic joints of the human body.

Groin injuries often occur when athletes overstretch their thighs participating in sport, especially in football or track sports. Those affected often find that the injured area suffers severe pricking or a tearing pain; those seriously injured in the groin even need the assistance of others to walk. Those injured, therefore, should stop practising or competing and apply ice to the affected area within 24 to 48 hours after the injury. They should take anti-inflammatory drugs for five to seven days. Individuals suffering from groin injury normally need to rest for two or three weeks, during which time physical and rehabilitation therapy are recommended. After self-rehabilitation, the functions of ligaments and tendons, such as stress response and elasticity, are unlikely to resume to levels prior to the injury. Hence, athletes who recover from groin injury should pay attention to warm-up and cool-down exercises before and after participating in sports, particularly stretching exercises for the pelvic joints and lower limbs, in order to prevent further injury.