How do you tell the difference between a pulled groin muscle and a hernia?

How do I know if I have a hernia or a pulled groin muscle? Feelings of dull aching and pain in the groin area are common for both a muscle strain and a hernia. A key indicator that you may have a hernia, however, is if you have a small bulge or lump on one side of the groin.

How do I know if my groin pain is a hernia?

Can a groin strain be mistaken for a hernia?

Both a pulled groin and a sports hernia have similar symptoms. They both result in pain in the inner thighs up towards the groin. Both injuries result in pain that prevents you from moving normally while playing your sport. The pain can be so bad that it makes it difficult to walk up steps or walk at all.

How do you tell a hernia from a pulled muscle?

A hernia and a pulled stomach muscle can both cause abdominal pain. Hernias cause a lump or bulge at the hernia site, which may ache or burn. A hernia can also cause constipation or nausea and vomiting (abdominal strains don't cause these problems).

What does a groin strain feel like?

Pain and tenderness in the groin and the inside of the thigh. Pain when you bring your legs together. Pain when you raise your knee. A popping or snapping feeling during the injury, followed by severe pain.

Groin strain or hernia: how to know the difference

Where does a groin pull hurt?

All groin strains cause pain in the inner thigh. Other signs and symptoms can include: swelling and bruising in the groin area. muscle spasms.

Does a hernia hurt to touch?

Hernias could cause abdominal pain

The area may be sensitive to the touch, even if you don't have a noticeable hernia bulge. Pain can feel like a burning or aching sensation, which may get worse with strain.

How do you check for a hernia?

Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you'll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain. If the diagnosis isn't readily apparent, your doctor might order an imaging test, such as an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.

How long does it take a pulled groin to heal?

If you have a bad strain, you may walk with a limp while it heals. Rest and other home care can help the muscle heal. Healing can take up to 3 weeks or more. Your doctor may want to see you again in 2 to 3 weeks.

Where is the pain located for a hernia?

The symptoms that lead most people to the doctor, and eventually a hernia diagnosis, typically include pain in the abdomen, particularly in the groin area. The pain tends to get worse if you sneeze, cough, lift something heavy or strain.

What does the start of a hernia feel like?

Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia. The discomfort worsens with any activity that puts a strain on the abdomen, such as heavy lifting, running or bearing down during bowel movements. Some patients have a bulge but do not have discomfort.

What happens if a hernia is left untreated?

If it is left untreated, a strangulated hernia can lead to life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (severe inflammation of intestine) and sepsis. Since hernias can happen to anyone at any age, knowing warning signs of hernias and being aware of them are essential.

Can a hernia go away on its own?

Hernias don't go away on their own. Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia.

Do hernias hurt when lying down?

Many hernias flatten when patient lies down. Patients also can present with groin discomfort or pain. The discomfort may be worse by bending or lifting. These symptoms tend to be relieved at night when patients are lying down and the hernia reduces.

How serious is a hernia in the groin?

An inguinal hernia forms when your intestines and the peritoneum push through the muscles and appear as a bulge under your skin. Inguinal hernias are dangerous because they tend to keep getting larger and your intestine can get trapped inside the bulge and lose its blood supply.

Where are Groin hernias located?

Inguinal Hernias. Inguinal hernias, also known as groin hernias, occur when a bit of tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the muscles between the upper thigh and the lower abdomen. Inguinal hernias are usually caused by an opening in the muscle wall that should have closed before birth but instead remained open.

What helps a pulled groin heal faster?

Cryotherapy, or cold therapy, is a proven method for reducing pain and inflammation in the soft tissues. Cold reduces inflammation, which can help with pain and support a quicker recovery. In fact, the faster you can apply cold to the injured area, the quicker your groin strain recovery may be.

Is walking good for groin strain?

Immediately following your consultation, your physical therapist may advise you to: Rest the area by avoiding walking or any activity that causes pain. Crutches may be recommended to reduce further strain on the muscles when walking. Apply ice packs to the area for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours.

Should you massage a pulled groin muscle?

After the acute stage of injury your doctor may recommend to start gently stretching the area (see some examples of stretches below), to apply heat to relax the tight muscles and may also recommend massage.

Why won't my groin pain go away?

Some of the more common possibilities include muscle pull (adductor group), tendonosis (adductor group), SI (sacroiliac) joint dysfunction, osteoarthritis of the hip, labral tear in the hip joint, sports hernia, inguinal hernia, osteitis pubis, and nerve entrapments.

Does hernia pain come and go?

Hernia symptoms often vary from patient to patient. The most common complaints are pain/discomfort and a bulge or swelling at the site of the hernia. The bulge may be persistent or may go away. It may get bigger over time.

What helps hernia pain at home?

How can I relieve hernia pain?

If you have a hernia in the abdomen or groin, applying an ice pack to the affected area can help reduce pain and inflammation.

What is a false hernia?

The hernia is considered a true hernia if the organ protrudes through a normal aperture. Conversely, a false hernia, or rupture, refers to a hernia characterized by protrusion of viscera through an acquired opening. The sac of a true abdominal hernia is lined with peritoneum, which is not the case for a false hernia.