Adductor Tendon Injuries

Adductor tendon injuries refer to damage or overuse injuries that affect the adductor tendon group. Injuries to the adductor tendons can result in pain and discomfort in the groin area and may require medical attention and rehabilitation. Adductor tendon injuries can range in severity and may include conditions like adductor tendonitis, strains, or tears.

Adductor Tendonitis

Inflammation of the adductor tendon. It typically occurs due to repetitive stress or overuse of the adductor muscles and tendons. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, and swelling in the groin area.

Adductor Strains

Adductor muscles or their tendons are stretched or torn. This injury can range from mild to severe and is often characterized by sudden, sharp pain in the groin or inner thigh. It is common in athletes involved in sports that require quick changes in direction or explosive movements.

Adductor Tendon Tears

In severe cases, the adductor tendons can tear partially or completely. A complete tear is a more serious hip injury and may require surgical intervention.

An adductor tendon tear is caused by groin strain resulting from a sudden muscle contraction such as that which might accompany a quick change in direction, like pivoting, or a rapid acceleration, like sprinting. This can overstretch or tear the muscles.

The most common site of a hip adductor tendon injury is the junction between the adductor muscle and the adductor tendon. The adductor longus muscle is the most injured muscle, which pulls the leg toward the midline.

Groin and adductor tendon injuries are common in many sports such as ice hockey, soccer, football, tennis, gymnastics, ballet, rugby, wrestling, distance running, basketball, high-jump, and hurdling, and account for significant time off of play.  Among all sports, adductor/groin strains are the most common injury accounting for almost 25% of all hip injuries.

Risk factors for adductor tendon injuries include a previous hip or groin injury, age, weak muscles, muscle fatigue, decreased range of motion, and inadequate stretching of the adductor muscles. Additionally, recent research suggests there is a genetic predisposition toward hip abnormalities that contribute to adductor tendon tears.

Adductor tendon injuries are graded according to their severity, and the symptoms can vary based off grade.

• Adductor Tendonitis: Groin pain, tenderness, and swelling in the groin area.
• Grade 1 Adductor Tendon Strain: Mild pain and tenderness but stretching and tearing are minimal.
• Grade 2 Adductor Tendon Strain: A partial thickness tear that causes pain, tenderness, bruising and muscle weakness.
• Grade 3 Adductor Tendon Tear: A severe tear with significant groin pain, bruising, loss of muscle strength, and loss of range of motion in the hip and thigh. In the most severe cases, the athlete may experience a snapping sensation when the tendon ruptures, and a complete loss of muscle function.

During your consultation with Dr. Jorge Chahla, a Chicago sports medicine surgeon and adductor tendon specialist, your medical history, adductor tendon symptoms, and past injuries will be reviewed.

Physical Exam

Dr. Chahla will perform a physical examination of the hip and thigh, test muscle strength, and observe for bruising and swelling in case of more moderate and severe injuries.

Imaging

Initial hip x-ray imaging will help to evaluate the cause of pain and adductor strain and rule out other possible causes of groin pain. An MRI of the hip will show an increased signal at the site of the adductor tendon injury, a possible retracted adductor tendon if there is a full-thickness tear, and whether there is also an associated bony injury such as an avulsion fracture. An ultrasound may be employed to visualize the tendons, muscles, and ligaments in the pubic area.