The inguinal ligaments are located in the upper thigh and are tightly intertwined with nerves and large blood vessels. Sprain of the inguinal ligaments is accompanied by severe pain and loss of ability moves, since the legs below the ligaments cease to obey the person. Most often, this injury is received by inexperienced athletes who conduct exercises without first preparing the ligaments for the load.
Causes of injury
Inguinal sprain is a fairly common trauma and not only in the world of sports. The main reason is the violation by the athlete of the technical performance of the exercise. Especially associated with significant loads, for example, lifting the bar. Often the cause of injury is intense running or jumping.
Another reason is a genetic predisposition to this type of injury caused by weak joints of the hip joint. The result can be diseases that have weakened the hip joint. It can be: arthrosis, osteoporosis or arthritis.
Sprain of the inguinal ligaments can be caused by inflammation of the soft tissues in the groin and the ligaments themselves. Sometimes, in order to injure the ligaments, it is enough to make a too deep lunge, slipping or jumping from a height. The only consolation in this case is that the sprain of the inguinal region is well treated. The main thing is that therapy begins on time, that is, immediately after injury.
Types of Sprains
Inguinal ligaments in women and men have varying degrees of severity. The treatment depends on the exact determination of the type of injury. Determine the degree and severity of the injury is necessary in the first minutes after receiving it.
With a light type, a person experiences slight discomfort in the area of the inguinal muscles, but at the same time does not lose the ability to walk and even run.
With moderate severity of the injury, the pain that arose as a result of it prevents a person from walking normally. Sometimes in the region of the inguinal muscle with this type of injury, a noticeable hematoma occurs.
In severe injuries, the victim is not able to move independently, since the pain is very severe. Hematomas and edema are clearly visible on the skin in the region of the inguinal muscle. With such an injury, usually not just a sprain of the ligaments, but their rupture.
It should be understood that without qualified and timely treatment, stretching can become a chronic disease that causes pain with an awkward movement until the end of a person’s life.
Symptomatic manifestations
Symptoms of an extension of the inguinal ligaments, even in a mild and minor form, are accompanied by pain. It occurs even after the slightest injury caused, for example, by prolonged squatting, although in this case it occurs a little later. Sometimes even the next day.
In general, pain is a mandatory symptom of this type of injury. It can be sharp, strong, weak, pulling, aching. But always only in one place - in the region of the inguinal muscle. This greatly simplifies the diagnosis.
Edema and hematomas at the joints of the thigh and pelvis are considered as a symptom. The hematoma says that thin blood vessels burst in the soft tissues. And the stronger the hematoma, the larger these vessels were, which means that the injury is stronger.
Sometimes in places of damage to the ligaments, skin temperature can locally rise.
And the last sign of injury is the complete inability of the affected person to move independently.
First aid to the victim
The speed and positive dynamics of the recovery of the victim depends on how he was provided with first aid immediately after the injury. First of all, it is necessary to lay the person on a flat surface and place a kind of pillow under his head.
Then you need to call an ambulance.
After this, the victim must be freed from excess clothing, which makes it difficult to examine the wound. If there are no skin tears, then ice or a very cold object should be applied to the affected area. This will reduce swelling, and most importantly, relieve the bulk of the pain.
The damaged ligament should be bandaged with an elastic bandage so that when walking a person does not damage it even more. To move the patient should use a crutch, cane or chair. This is necessary to unload the sore leg as much as possible.
Diagnosis of injury
To clarify the diagnosis and assess the damage, the injured person undergoes a series of diagnostic procedures. In severe injuries, an X-ray examination of the hip joint and inguinal ligaments is performed.
Ultrasound equipment allows you to determine the degree of damage to the inguinal vessels and lymph nodes.
Computed tomography can quite accurately determine the degree of injury and its severity. Unfortunately, this equipment is not in every emergency room. Sprain of the inguinal ligaments in men can be accompanied by injuries of the testes, so they are also examined by a doctor.
Injury treatment
Self-treatment can cause complication and worsening of the situation. How to treat an inguinal sprain, only a doctor decides. In severe injuries, accompanied by ruptures of tendons and muscles, treatment is carried out surgically. Subsequently, patients undergo a long course of rehabilitation, designed to again accustom the muscles to stretching without breaks. This is done with the help of physiotherapy and physiotherapy procedures.
Injuries not related to tears are treated medically. The patient receives pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by the doctor. For the entire time of treatment, the leg muscles in the groin area are fixed with a tight bandage that limits mobility.
Local treatment
Ointments for stretching the inguinal ligaments are necessary, but you need to understand that the type of drug is selected individually, depending on the condition of the patient, the severity of the injury and a possible allergic reaction to the components of the drug. That is why the ointment is prescribed by a doctor after examining the patient.
It is also possible topical treatment for sprain of the inguinal ligaments at home. Such therapy usually takes from 5 to 8 days, it simply cannot be longer. After all, therapeutic ointments, if used for a long time, can cause complications.
After completing the course of local treatment, it is necessary gradually, increasing the load, to do therapeutic exercises. This will speed up full recovery and prevent the recurrence of sprain.
Taping
The modern treatment method - taping can significantly speed up recovery, while maintaining patient mobility. The teip is glued to the skin over the affected ligament, which can significantly relieve the load on the muscles in the area. The main thing is to follow the instructions for applying. One of the main conditions is complete cleansing of skin hair. Taping is also widely used in the rehabilitation process, after the main course of treatment.
Forecast
The prognosis for an injury to the inguinal ligament is positive. But only on condition that the patient complies with all the requirements in the treatment process. He should keep the muscles and ligaments of the inguinal region at rest. If bed rest is prescribed, then they should not be neglected. A frivolous attitude to grass of this nature will necessarily end with a complication or its transition to a chronic form. It is necessary to resume physical activity after an injury gradually and only after full recovery.
ethnoscience
The knowledge accumulated by people over many hundreds of years has helped to identify a number of effective folk recipes:
- Turmeric. Powdered product is mixed in water until a porridge-like mixture is obtained. Apply to the affected area for 15 minutes 3 times a day.
- It is necessary to take in equal proportions nutmeg, mint and aloe juice. Use the resulting mixture as a compress overnight.
- Tea with melissa or valerian will help relieve pain.
Prevention
Prevention of this type of injury is a simple process, but necessary. It’s easier to follow a few rules that will protect against a dangerous and painful injury.
First of all, before training, it is necessary to thoroughly warm up all the muscles, including the inguinal. If the training lasts 2 hours, then it should take 40-50 minutes to warm up. This is a very important process.
If a person does not move much in connection with his professional activity, then he needs to go in for sports. In order for the muscles to gain their former flexibility, drivers, clerks and people with similar professions need to seriously engage in sports after work. Enough 3-4 days a week for 2 hours. It can be jogging, cycling or swimming. This is especially important for men, since poor blood circulation in the pelvic organs caused by a sedentary lifestyle can lead to impotence and infertility.
Proper nutrition is very important. You can not get involved in fast carbohydrates, fried fatty meat, hot spices, dyes and preservatives. All this leads to obesity and weakening of the body's immune system. In such a situation, a person begins to suffer from a variety of pathologies, which often leads to injuries. Including sprains and tendon ruptures.
To improve health, you need to consume more fiber, these are cereals from cereals. It is very helpful to eat raw fruits and vegetables. You can’t refuse meat, but it should be lean and cooked only. Only a varied, healthy diet strengthens muscles, bones, and ligaments. Mono-diets and veganism weaken the body, as they do not replenish all the necessary substances and trace elements.
You need to visit a doctor at least 2 times a year to identify hidden inflammatory processes in the body. This is especially important in the cold season.
And last but not least, you can not poison your body with nicotine and alcohol. These substances weaken absolutely all human tissues - from the heart muscle, liver and lungs, to the ligaments of blood vessels and bones.