Adductor strain

introduction

An adductor strain is an injury to the adductor group of the thigh muscles. The adductor group is located on the inside of the thigh and is made up of different muscles.
Due to their origin and approach, they serve to bring the leg closer to the body.

root cause

An adductor strain usually occurs through a Sudden jerky movement in the opposite direction of the muscles on.
A common reason for thigh adductor strain is one Tackle in football. As a result, the abduction (moving the leg away from the body) is carried out very strongly, which can lead to injuries to the opposing muscles (adductors).

anatomy

The adductor group of the thigh is divided into three groups: the superficial, deep and middle adductor groups.
All muscles are powered by the Obturator nerve innervated and are mainly used to bring the leg up to the trunk.
The Muscles have their origin mainly in the bony structures of the Pubic bone (Pubis) or des Ischium (Ischium). They are mainly found on the back surface of the Thighbone (Linea aspera).
Only the gracilis muscle takes a longer course and starts below the Tibial head. So he also exercises his function on that Knee joint from which it flexes and rotates internally.

Adductor strain

1. Adductor group of
   Thigh muscles
   -External hip muscle -
   Obturator muscle
   extermus
   -Small donners
   Adductor minimus muscle
   - Comb muscle -
   Pectineus muscle
   -Short donners -
   Adductor brevis muscle
   -Langer donners -
   Adductor longus muscle
   -Ggreat dresser
   Adductor magnus muscle
   - Lean Muscle -
   Gracilis muscle
   Causes:
   Sprints, soccer, tennis
   (Jerky movement in
   the opposite direction
   the muscles)
   Therapy:
   PECH rule
   P - pause
   E - ice (cooling)
   C - compression
   H - elevated position

You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations

Symptoms

Kick often Pain around the tendons of the muscles and in the Pubic region on.
Is the strain only slightly pronounced, the pain can often only be felt under strain. This is particularly the case Adduction (Bringing the leg up) painful against resistance and thus serves as a diagnostic indicator.
Also Movements in the opposite direction, i.e. the spreading movement of the thigh (abduction) is often associated with pain after an adductor strain. Maybe you can Swelling or Bruising occur in the area of ​​the affected muscle group.

Pain up to the testicle

In the male sex it is quite possible that it is in the context of an adductor strain Pain up to the testicle comes. The reason for this is the spatial proximity of the muscle origins of the adductors to the inguinal canal. The adductor strain can cause it to Swelling come in the area of ​​the injured muscles, whereupon others surrounding tissue is compressed could become.

A nerve, the so-called "genitofemoral nerve", which runs through the inguinal canal to the testicle, can therefore possibly be caused by the swelling irritated become. Thus, those affected feel pain along the course of the nerves and in its innervation area. However, this does not happen that often. It is important that men participate Pain in the testicle In any case, you should consult a doctor for clarification if the diagnosis of an adductor strain has not previously been made. This is important because there are many different causes of testicular pain.

diagnosis

First and foremost are those anamnese and the physical examination. The suspicion of an adductor strain can be made by describing the course of the accident.
Then the groin and thigh muscles are added Tenderness and swelling examined. Also a bruise gives indications of the violation of muscular structures. In addition, the thigh can be both adducted and abducted against resistance. This often leads to the triggering of pain in the area of ​​the inside of the thigh or the pubic region. If anything is unclear, a Ultrasound examination (Sonography) a strain of one Torn hamstring distinguish. Bleeding into the muscles also indicates an injury and can be easily recognized with the ultrasound.

therapy

In acute cases, adequate first aid should take place as soon as possible. This consists of the so-called PECH rule:

• Break (= P), i.e. immediate termination of the load.
• cooling the affected area using ice (= E) or cooling spray,
• compression (= C) the injured region with a pressure bandage and
• Elevation (= H) of the affected extremity to avoid swelling.

The aim of this treatment is a rapid decongestion the affected Musculature and stop any bleeding that may have occurred. Then there is numerous different therapeutic approaches.

They all have one thing in common significant stress reduction and sports break. This is to avoid that the injured muscles are further damaged and a chronic course entry. The healing can go through anti-inflammatory ointments, ultrasonic or Electrotherapy be promoted.
After the muscles have largely healed again, the following load should be applied slowly and carefully increased so as not to damage the muscles again. Doing this should be the first burden under physiotherapeutic guidance be performed. This is where the burden takes place controlled takes place and another injury is avoided.

It is especially important that any adductor strain, or pain in the groin well cured become. If the symptoms become chronic, it can up to 6 months take until the original sporting activity can be resumed. Is the adductor strain completely healedcan do the sport again without restrictions are executed.

A muscle strain can also lead to a Torn muscle fiber of the adductors which is also accompanied by severe pain, swelling, and muscle hemorrhage.

Is warm or cold better?

The decision as to whether an adductor strain should be treated with heat or cold is made in Dependence on the stage of injury met. If it is an acute adductor strain, cold therapy is indicated. The first steps should be taken after the PECH rule take place, i.e. pause, ice, compression and elevation. Utensils or measures such as ice spray, ice packs or cold compresses are suitable for acute cold therapy.
The cold leads to vascular contraction, i.e. a contraction of the vessels, as a result of which the area of ​​the adductors is less supplied with blood. In addition, less inflammatory infiltrate can escape into the tissue, so that swelling is kept within limits in the acute stage. The cold should apply for the first 24 hours.

After that is a Heat therapy makes sense. The reason for this is that the heat is a Stimulation of blood circulation causes. As a result, the adductors are better supplied with nutrients and at the same time inflammation and degradation products are removed more quickly. Thus becomes a accelerated healing process promoted. In addition, the warmth has a relaxing and pain-relieving effect, which those affected find very pleasant. Heat therapy is also an integral part of physiotherapy. The heat can be applied in different ways, for example using heat cushions or heat lamps.

physical therapy

In the case of an adductor strain, in addition to the acute measure according to the PECH rule, physiotherapy is the treatment of first choice. With the help of physiotherapy, the Regeneration after an adductor strain promoted become. It is important that the load must first be reduced so that the adductors can slowly return to normal loads.

The aim of physiotherapy is, ultimately, the former Ensure the efficiency of the adductors again to be able to. To achieve this, physiotherapy makes use of various measures or approaches. For one thing is the Heat therapy Part of physiotherapy. The heat therapy has a relaxing, pain-relieving and beneficial effect on the recovery time. There are several ways in which the heat can be applied. You can simply put heat cushions on the adductors or direct a heat lamp onto the corresponding muscles.Ultrasound, infrared or high frequency therapy are also conceivable. Depending on the degree of adductor strain, less locally applied heat in a steam sauna can also be helpful.

In addition to heat therapy, some physiotherapists recommend the so-called "Muscle Release Technique", an exercise in which the adductors are alternately tensed and then relaxed again. It is also suitable Aqua jogging or cycling on the home trainer to slowly bring the adductors back to full capacity. In general, it is important that the physiotherapy exercises should only be implemented if there is no pain. Otherwise, physiotherapeutic measures will not have a positive effect and a delayed healing process can be expected.

Taping an adductor strain

Taping as a therapeutic measure of adductor strain pursues the goal of Pain reduction and fulfills one stabilizing and supporting function. The tape is a kind of functional bandage that is elastic and self-adhesive on one side. The most important property is the elasticity: the tape can cause a relaxation of the tendons due to a reduction of the tension and the tensile force on the adductors. This acts as an aid in the healing process. In addition to the stabilizing effect, the tape stimulates the metabolism of the strained adductors.

How exactly the tape should be applied in the event of an adductor strain is explained in more detail below: First of all, it is important that the skin in the area of ​​the groin and the adductors is not creamy or hairy before applying the tape. In order for the adhesive strip to adhere well to the skin, the tape should also be rubbed properly. The adhesive function is improved by the pressure and the resulting heat.

A total of three strips of tape of different lengths are required for the adductor strain. In the abduction position, i.e. the leg on the corresponding side should be slightly apart, the first and longest tape is now attached. For this purpose, the tape strip is affixed from the knee along the inside of the thigh to the groin in the direction of the pubic bone with slight tension. The second strip of tape is also fixed in an almost parallel orientation with subtle tension. Since it is shorter than the first, it starts at a common point in the groin region, but ends at the level of the middle of the first tape, offset several centimeters towards the front of the thigh. The even shorter third tape is glued on according to the same principle. Thus, the course of the three tape strips should imitate that of the pulled adductors.

The tape is optimal way for Applied for at least a week. In general, those affected are able to tap themselves as long as they have the appropriate “know-how”. Otherwise, taping an adductor strain should be left to a specialist so that it really fulfills the purpose and has a positive influence on the healing process.

Duration of an adductor strain

How long an adductor strain lasts varies from person to person and depends on various factors. These include on the one hand the Severity of injury, i.e. the degree of overstretching, and on the other hand also personal characteristics such as Age and shape of the adductor muscles. A slight adductor strain can be healed after a few days. Depending on the severity, the duration can extend to several weeks.

As a rule, however, the symptoms of an adductor strain should not last longer than 3 weeks. If this is the case, a further evaluation by a doctor should be carried out, if necessary, in order to rule out more serious, previously undetected injuries. Of course, the duration of healing always depends largely on whether those affected stick to the treatment plan. Patience is the top priority. It makes no sense to start physiotherapy until freedom from pain is achieved.

When it comes to a Freedom from complaints However, that does not mean that the adductors are 100% resilient again. On the contrary, the adductors themselves must Bit by bit brought back to full resilience become. Too early stress often throws those affected back enormously and the pain is as bad as it was when the strain occurred. The point in time at which immediate measures are taken also has a relevant influence on the healing time. If immediately after an adductor strain it is treated according to the PECH rule, the healing process can be positively influenced. Otherwise, your recovery may be delayed.

Duration of the sports break

A statement about the duration of the sports break after an adductor strain is not to be generalized, but individually variable. It depends, among other things, on how severe the adductor strain was. After a slight adductor strain, you can start exercising again after just a few weeks, if pain relief has already occurred after only 3 days.

Nonetheless, I should come back first to start exercising slowlyso that the adductors are not immediately 100% stressed again. A severe adductor strain can, however, make it necessary to take a break from exercising for several weeks. Depending on how well those affected adhere to the prescribed therapeutic measures and how the healing process develops accordingly, a sports break of up to a month can be indicated.

In general, regardless of the severity, a sports break must be observed as long as until the pain completely disappeared are. A return to sport is only recommended when the symptoms are completely free. Too early loading increases the risk of renewed and even more severe adductor strain. There is also the risk of the symptoms becoming chronic. Conversely, this would mean that a sport break of up to six months is necessary in order to give the adductors enough time to fully recover. In the end, however, an exact time is given in both At the discretion of the attending physician or physiotherapist as well as the personal responsibility of those affected.

What can I do if the adductor strain becomes chronic?

Actually, you shouldn't let it get so far that an adductor strain becomes chronic, as there are enough and effective therapeutic measures for acute therapy. Therefore, the adductor strain is actually an injury that will heal within a few weeks after proper treatment.

Should the symptoms nonetheless become chronic, those affected may need to contact one permanent pain medication fall back to make a sporting load bearable. Above all, it is important to do some exercise before doing sports warm up and stretch properly. That too Wearing proper footwear can help to reduce pain that has become chronic. Even if those affected feel that the symptoms have become chronic anyway, one should a sufficiently long break from exercise is observed to allow a healing process and avoid overuse.

Sometimes we also have a so-called for chronic complaints after an adductor strain sensorimotor body therapy recommended. This is a therapeutic approach that trains you to focus on your own body awareness.

prophylaxis

Detailed stretching before and after exercise can help avoid another adductor strain. Also targeted strengthening exercises for the thigh muscles can significantly reduce the likelihood of an adductor strain.
For this reason, stretching exercises are recommended before any sporting activity.
After an adductor strain, however, these exercises should definitely be performed, as the risk of a new strain is significantly increased.

Summary

The adductor strain is one relatively common injury, especially the soccer player.
The typical injury mechanism is that Tackle while playing, as a result, the adductors on the inside of the thigh are suddenly heavily stressed.
This can strain the muscles and cause them to severe pain, especially under pressure to lead. Also Swelling and Bruising can occur.
The diagnosis is made with the help of anamnese and physical exam. If anything is unclear, a Ultrasound machine can be used.
The acute therapy includes the direct exercise break, cooling, compression and Elevation the affected limb. I.
In the further course, the load should be reduced until the pain has ceased. In order to avoid a direct re-injury, the first stresses should be reduced after the physical rest physiotherapy instruction respectively.
Sufficient Stretching and strengthening exercises can help prevent adductor strain.