Playing soccer can often cause this muscle tear in your leg
Q. I am a 21-year-old soccer player who two days ago felt a pop and a sharp pain on the left side of my groin while playing soccer. I had to stop playing and have been limping since. The pain is somewhat improved, but I am unsure how to proceed. Should I rest it or see a doctor? How long does an injury like this prevent an athlete from playing?
A. A very common injury in soccer is a tear of the adductor muscle, or tendon that allows you to bring your leg inward. Grade 1 injuries which are a micro tear of the adductor usually heal quickly with rehab.
Since you felt a pop, you likely have a grade 2 injury (partial tear) or a complete grade 3 tear of the adductor. These usually require a period of rest and a formal rehab program to get better as well as decrease the risk of re-injury.
Recovery can take a number of weeks. Rarely do these injuries require surgery. I recommend you see an orthopedic surgeon to determine the extent of injury as well as the best way to get you better and back on the soccer field.
Dr. Harlan Selesnick is team physician of the Miami Heat and director of Miami Sports Medicine Fellowship, Doctors Hospital. Send your questions to HarlanS@baptisthealth.net
