The following is a very thorough and detailed management plan for the full recovery
and rehabilitation of a groin strain. As mentioned earlier, it's taken directly
from
Modern Principles of Athletic Training by Daniel D. Arnheim.
Considering this management plan was written over ten years ago, my only addition
would be the reduction of ice therapy and the addition of massage and heat therapy
during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th phase. Regardless of my suggestions, the following
will be extremely useful for anyone who is, or has suffered from a groin strain.
Injury Situation:
A women varsity basketball player had a history of tightness in her groin. During
a game she suddenly rotated her trunk while also stretching to the right side. There
was a sudden sharp pain and a sense of "giving way" in the left side of
the groin that caused the athlete to immediately stop play and limp to the sidelines.
Symptoms & Signs:
As the athlete described it to the athletic trainer, there was severe pain when
rotating her trunk to the right and flexing her left hip. Inspection revealed the
following:
- There was major point tenderness in the groin, especially in the region of the
adductor magnus muscle.
- There was no pain during passive movement of the hip, but severe pain did occur
during both active and resistive motion.
- When the groin and hip were tested for injury, the hip joint, illiopsoas, and
rectus femoris muscles were ruled out as having been injured; however, when the
athlete adducted the hip from a stretch position, it caused here extreme discomfort.
Management Plan:
This detailed management plan comes from one of my old university text books, called
Modern Principles of Athletic Training by Daniel D. Arnheim. It's one of
those 900 page door-stoppers, but it's the book I refer to most for information
on sports injury prevention and rehabilitation. It's extremely detailed and a valuable
resource for anyone who works in the health and fitness industry. So...
Based on the athletic trainer's inspection, with findings confirmed by the physician,
it was determined that the athlete had sustained a second-degree strain of the groin,
particularly to the adductor magnus muscle.
Phase 1
Management Phase: Goals: To control haemorrhage, pain and spasms.
Estimated Length of Time (ELT): 2 to 3 days.
Therapy: Immediate Care: ICE-R (20 min) intermittently, six to eight
times daily. The athlete wears a 6-inch elastic hip spica.
Exercise Rehabilitation: No Exercise - as complete rest as possible.
Phase 2
Management Phase: Goals: To reduce pain, spasm and restore full
ability to contract without stretching the muscle.
ELT: 4 to 6 days.