[31F] Experiencing intermittent right groin pain

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible causes of your symptoms include:

• Hip Bursitis: This is inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac near the hip joint. It can cause pain on the inside of your hip or groin along with pain that radiates down the thigh towards the knee.

  • Treatment typically includes rest, physical therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In some cases, corticosteroid injections or surgery may be necessary.

• Hip Osteoarthritis: This is a type of arthritis that affects the hip joint. It can cause pain in the hip, groin, and thigh. The pain is usually worse with activity and better with rest.

  • Treatment typically includes physical therapy, exercise, weight loss if overweight, and pain relievers. In severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be necessary.

• Femoral Hernia: This type of hernia occurs when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall of the groin or inner thigh. It can cause groin pain and discomfort, which can sometimes radiate down the leg.

  • Treatment typically involves surgical repair of the hernia.

• Hip Labral Tear: This is a tear in the ring of cartilage (labrum) that follows the outside rim of your hip joint socket. Besides causing hip pain, a hip labral tear can create a clicking sound during certain movements in your hip.

  • Treatment typically involves physical therapy, pain relievers, and sometimes surgery.

What you can do

You should definitely seek medical attention to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. In the meantime, here are some things you can do to help manage your symptoms:

1. Rest: Avoid activities that worsen your pain.
2. Over-the-counter pain relievers: Nonprescription drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help relieve pain.
3. Apply ice: Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 15 minutes at a time to help reduce inflammation and pain.
4. Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises: These can help improve flexibility and strength in your hip, which can help reduce pain. However, it's important to do these exercises correctly and at the right intensity level to avoid making your symptoms worse.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Severe pain
• Sudden swelling
• Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth or tenderness in the affected area, or a fever over 100.4 F (38 C)
• Difficulty walking

Please remember that while I strive to provide accurate and helpful health information, this advice is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for a formal diagnosis and treatment.