Groin pain when walking: causes and treatment

If you are suffering from groin pain, you should know that it can occur for many different reasons. This area is crossed and surrounded by critical structures (osteotendinous, muscular, genitourinary, vascular), and a problem that affects them can generate significant inguinal discomfort.

If you want to know the possible causes of pain in the groin when walking and the treatment for each of them, we invite you to read the following article by FastlyHeal.

Inguinal hernia

Due to a weakness in the abdominal-inguinal muscle area, some abdomen contents may come out. Usually, you will feel that with an effort (for example, when defecating), a small ball comes out of the weak space in the groin. If you compress that area, the lump will disappear, and when it is enormous, pain may appear when walking.

Treatment

It is often surgical. It is one of the simplest and most common surgeries. The objective is to close the space so that the abdominal content does not come out again. The following article explains the care after an inguinal hernia operation.

If persistent pain appears, it is an emergency. It would be best if you went immediately to a health center because the hernia contents can get stuck.

Tendinitis or pubalgia

Tendon or muscle problems often cause sudden-onset groin pain, or the discomfort may gradually increase. They can occur for different reasons:

• After making an effort without adequate warm-up.
• Repetitive movements.
• Bad effort or activity.

The groin injury is one of the most typical discomforts and is manifested by pain in the inner area of the thigh or groin. It can start suddenly, but it often shows up first during sports activities. If the problem continues, the pain also appears in daily activities.

Treatment

Depending on the cause, a professional can indicate cold or heat in the area, rest, anti-inflammatories, and rehabilitation with physiotherapy.

A good recovery makes it less likely that you will have discomfort again in the future.

Bursitis

If the hip joint receives repetitive movements, you can suffer from bursitis. Due to the inflammation of a structure inside the joint (synovial bag), groin pain appears due to exercise or pressure, increased stiffness, and even inflammation.

Treatment

Rest, cold, and pain relievers are sufficient most of the time. Sometimes antibiotics are also needed.

In more severe cases, a corticosteroid infiltration or surgery may be necessary.

Infections

Infections near the groin can cause pain in this area when walking, such as:

• Urinary infection: In cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), pain may appear in the lower abdomen, groin, and back. Other symptoms usually present are burning or discomfort when urinating, feeling that you have not completely emptied your bladder and frequent small amounts of urine.
• Vaginitis-pelvic inflammatory disease: In women, a significant vaginal infection can cause pain in the genital area, lower abdomen, and groin, primarily if the infection has spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes. It is a severe case where a general malaise and fever may also appear.
• Prostatitis: the prostate can inflate, especially in men who suffer from hypertrophy (prostatic enlargement). The symptoms, in this case, are discomfort when urinating and pain in the groin area and lower abdomen.
• Epididymal-orchitis: inflammation or infection of one or both testicles or epididymis can be excruciating. The scrotum appears red, hot, and very sore in these cases.

Treatment

All these problems require medical control to determine the real cause of the problem and indicate an appropriate treatment.

Usually, the administration of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories is necessary.

The pelvic inflammatory disease female can be quite severe, so attention must be immediate.

Catalina

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve does not often present itself as isolated groin pain, although it can occur. Usually, pain appears in the back of the body: lower back, thigh, leg, and can even reach the foot.

Treatment

This depends on the cause of the inflammation, which is essential to recognize. It can be a problem in the last vertebrae, muscle contractures, or poor posture. Pain relievers, rest, and local cold can help in many cases.

Pyramidal syndrome

If the pain in the groin appears when trying to cross the leg, it may be a problem in one of the gluteal muscles: the pyramidal. The most common is that people between 40 and 50 years who exercise with inappropriate postures have pain in the lower back, buttock, and groin area.

Treatment

Analgesia, rest, and stretching are usually sufficient if the contracture is mild. There are slightly more complex cases in which physical therapy treatment and even injections for pain may be required.

Hip fracture

The most frequent case is that of an older adult who suffers hip trauma after a fall, but there are other types of fractures that young athletes can suffer. These are called avulsion fractures. In this case, a powerful tendon pull can detach a small bone fragment from the hip.

Treatment

Fundamentally, you must rest. Pain relievers and cold may be indicated in the area. There are cases in which surgery is necessary.

Meralgia paresthetica

The meralgia paresthetica is the sensation of pain and tingling in the thigh and groin’s outer area that may occur during walking or being at rest. This arises from the compression of the nerve that gives sensitivity to that area of ​​the skin.

It can occur for different reasons:

• Pregnancy.
• Overweight.
• Tight clothing.
• Trauma
• Diabetes.
• Fibrosis or scars from inguinal hernia surgery.

Treatment

Depending on the severity of the discomfort, looser clothing or weight loss may be sufficient. Analgesics and, in more severe cases, anticonvulsant or antidepressant medications may be indicated. Sometimes surgery may also be required.

Kidney stones

When there is an excess of toxins, minerals, or lack of water, the kidney can suffer from lithiasis. Small stones (or stones) are formed that, when removed, generate a lot of pain in the abdomen or groin.

Treatment

Treatment is usually done in an emergency room because pain is so significant. It usually consists of pain relievers and antispasmodics. Then, a consultation with one or a urology specialist is necessary.

It is essential to change certain habits, such as drinking water and improving your diet.

You can learn more in the article Kidney stones: symptoms, causes, and treatment.

Testicular diseases

Men may also experience pain in the groin when walking if they have any of the following problems with the testicles:

Testicular torsion

Too severe inguinal and scrotal pain can be caused by twisting the spermatic cord. No blood is reaching the testicle, and therefore it is an emergency that requires surgery.

Hydrocele

The layers around the testicle fill with fluid. If the amount is enough, there can be significant pain. Different causes can cause it:

• Inguinal hernia.
• Infections
• Tumors

Your treatment will depend on the cause. In some cases, it improves by treating the infection. In others, it must wait, and sometimes surgery may be needed.

Varicocele

It is about the dilation of the veins of the testicles, and the cause that produces it is unknown.

Treatment may be for symptoms only (for example, pain relievers) or sometimes require surgery.

Tumor testicular

A tumor in the testicles can present with:

• Groin or testicular pain.
• Feeling of heaviness
• An inflamed testicle.
• Hydrocele.

It is not very frequent, but it should be ruled out in men who suffer from pain in the groin due to its severity.

Your treatment will depend on how advanced you are. Only surgery or radio and chemotherapy may be required.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Pain in the groin when walking: causes and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Bones, Joints, and Muscles.