Groin Muscle Strain: Recovery Timeline Insights
I’m a 57-year-old male, standing 5’10” tall and weighing 165 pounds, currently on medications including eloquis, losartan, wixella, and flonase. Recently, I experienced an incident where I slipped on linoleum after swimming, leading to a strain in my left groin muscle. During the slip, I noticed an unusual feeling in that area as my foot lost grip on the wet surface. It required several minutes before I could regain my footing. Although I was somewhat able to walk, any lateral movement with my left leg was extremely painful. Thinking that some exercise could be beneficial, I decided to go swimming again on Friday, which in hindsight, was not a wise choice. Two days after the injury, I observed that the inner part of my left leg displayed vibrant bluish-purple marks, resembling finger paint, with lines connecting multiple spots starting from my groin area. The following day, those marks had darkened and increased in size, taking on the appearance of a significant bruise. I also experienced painful cramps during the night that were quite intense—so much so that I fell off the couch due to the severity of the discomfort, despite my typically high pain tolerance. Today, I’ve noticed that approximately a palm-sized area—covering about 60% of the space between my groin and knee—is affected. While lateral movements have improved somewhat, there’s still pain near the groin when I attempt them. For the past few days, I’ve been following the R.I.C.E. method: resting, icing, and elevating my leg. Tomorrow morning, I have a scheduled appointment with my general practitioner. What can I expect during the visit and regarding my recovery process?
Answers (1)
6/23/2025, 9:50:34 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing a significant groin muscle strain with bruising, and you're taking all the right initial steps for recovery with the R.I.C.E. method. At your upcoming appointment, your doctor will likely perform a physical examination and may discuss your symptoms in detail, which could include assessing the range of motion and strength of your leg. They may also ask about your pain levels and any previous injuries.
Explanation
Muscle strains occur when fibers are torn due to excessive stretching, often caused by sudden movements such as slipping. The bruising you have described typically indicates bleeding under the skin from the strain, and the intense pain and cramps you experienced are common with such injuries. The R.I.C.E. method—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation—is a standard approach to manage strains and can help alleviate pain and swelling.
Prioritized Next Steps
-
Continue R.I.C.E.: Keep resting your leg, icing it as needed (15-20 minutes every two hours), and elevating it to reduce swelling.
-
Prepare for Your Appointment: Make a list of your symptoms, questions, and any activities that exacerbate your pain. This will help your doctor tailor their examination and advice effectively.
-
Expect Recovery Advice: Your doctor might suggest a possible period of rest followed by gradual rehabilitation exercises. Understanding your level of activity and medications will help them create a tailored recovery plan.
-
Plan for Pain Management: Discuss options for managing your pain, which may include over-the-counter pain relievers, but be sure to check their compatibility with your current medications, especially since you are on anticoagulants like Eliquis.
-
Avoid Strenuous Activities: Until you've had a chance to assess your injury with your doctor, it's best to avoid activities that stress the groin, such as swimming or lateral movements.
It’s great that you’re proactive in your care, and I encourage you to be patient as you heal. If you have any specific concerns about your recovery timeline or what to expect during your doctor visit, feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Strange Jelly-Like Substance Observed from Wound
I’m a 21-year-old female living with an auto-inflammatory condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Recently, I've experienced a concerning issue with one of my wounds. This particular wound causes significant pain and excessive bleeding. However, whenever I attend to it, I tend to find this unusual jelly-like substance present within it. Interestingly, this phenomenon has only occurred with this one wound and not any of the others I have. The bleeding seems to persist until I manage to remove this jelly substance, after which it typically slows down and comes to a halt completely. I’m seeking insights into what this might signify so that I can effectively discuss it with my healthcare provider.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight
As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods