A groin injury is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems among athletes, particularly among hockey players. In some sports, it even represents the most frequent non-traumatic injury.

If you are experiencing groin pain—whether you are a recreational player or an elite athlete—it is crucial to act quickly to avoid complications. Here you will find the causes, the best treatments, and the typical recovery time for a groin injury.

 

Groin injury: what exactly are we talking about?

The groin region is an anatomically complex area that includes:

• The adductor muscles (inner thigh)
• The abdominal muscles
• Tendons
• The hip joints

A groin injury may therefore involve one or several of these structures. Unlike direct traumatic injuries (such as a hit or violent impact), groin injuries often develop gradually, due to overuse, muscular imbalance, or joint instability.

 

Groin injuries in hockey: a common problem

Hockey is a sport that particularly exposes players to groin injuries. In fact, between 13% and 20% of hockey players will develop groin pain during a season.

Why?

During skating, the adductor muscles work intensely to resist abduction forces. With every push-off, the load on these muscles increases by more than 250% when a player accelerates. A relative weakness of the adductors compared to the abductors therefore increases the risk of injury.

If the strength of the adductors is less than 80% of the abductors, the risk of a groin injury in hockey is 17 times higher.

 

Common causes of groin injuries

Several factors can lead to a groin strain or persistent groin pain:

• Lack of specific adductor strength
• Muscle imbalance in the hip and pelvis
• Dynamic instability
• Repetitive skating movements
• Poor off-season physical preparation
• Hip joint abnormalities (femoroacetabular impingement)

It is important to note that muscle flexibility alone has not been shown to protect against groin pain.

 

Symptoms of a groin injury

Symptoms may vary depending on the affected structure, but the most common include:

• Dull or sharp pain in the groin area
• Hip stiffness
• Difficulty accelerating or changing direction quickly
• Increased pain when activating the adductor muscles (bringing the legs together)

If the pain persists, it is important to consult a physiotherapist to prevent the injury from progressing into a more severe groin tear.

 

Groin injury recovery time

Recovery time depends on several factors:

• Severity of the injury (muscle strain vs partial or complete tear)
• Duration of symptoms before treatment
• How quickly treatment is initiated

In general:

Type of injury	Estimated recovery time
Mild pain or muscle strain	2 to 4 weeks
Partial adductor tear	4 to 8 weeks
Severe or chronic tear	Several months

Early physiotherapy intervention can often significantly reduce recovery time.

 

Recommended treatment for groin injuries

At Évolution Physio, we offer a comprehensive approach to treating groin injuries.

 

1. In-depth functional assessment

• Analysis of muscle strength, imbalances, and joint mobility
• Biomechanical movement assessment

 

2. Personalized treatment plan

• Reduction of initial pain and inflammation
• Targeted work on adductor strength and hip stabilization
• Gradual return to sports with functional exercises

 

3. Recurrence prevention

• Off-ice strengthening program for hockey players
• Lumbopelvic stabilization exercises
• Optimization of neuromuscular control

 

How to prevent a groin injury

Two key strategies help reduce the risk of groin injuries:

• Adductor strengthening: adductor strength should reach at least 80% of abductor strength.
• Stabilization training: strengthening the lumbosacral region and improving lower-limb mechanics.

A well-designed training program supervised by a physiotherapist or certified strength coach is essential.

 

Suffering from a groin injury? Book an appointment!

Whether it’s a groin injury in hockey, a muscle tear, or persistent groin pain, our specialized physiotherapists can help you recover quickly and regain your full potential.