Groin Pain Specialist

What are the common causes of groin pain?

Groin pain is a common complaint among athletic men and women, but also afflicts more sedentary patients. A wide range of conditions and injuries can contribute to pain in your groin, including:

• Hip impingement
• FAI (femoroacetabular impingement)
• Labral tears (tear of hip labrum)
• Dysplasia (shallow socket)
• Tendon tears
• Adductor tendon tears
• Tendonitis
• Flexor tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Psoas bursitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Cartilage damage
• Loose bodies
• Synovitis (inflamed joint lining)
• Fractures
• Stress (hairline) fractures
• Acetabular (socket) fractures
• Femoral head fractures
• Dislocations
• Core muscle injury
• Athletic pubalgia
• Osteitis pubis
• Avascular necrosis/osteonecrosis (dead bone)

Groin pain may also be due to a medical condition or back condition. Dr. Matsuda’s experience and expertise can determine the correct diagnosis so that you obtain the most appropriate treatment to relieve your pain and restore your function.

When should I talk to a doctor about groin pain?

If you have groin pain, your first step should be to take a couple of days to rest and see if your pain can be relieved at home using hot or cold packs and over-the-counter painkillers.

If your pain doesn’t ease within a few days, you should make an appointment with Dr. Matsuda to identify the cause of your pain and get the treatment you need.

How is the cause of my groin pain diagnosed?

Dr. Matsuda has more than 30 years of experience and extensive training in treating orthopedic problems, specializing in hip pain, which can often be felt in the groin. He uses his in-depth knowledge during comprehensive exams and consultations to identify the root cause of your pain.

During your appointment, he talks to you about your symptoms, your lifestyle, and your overall health. Make sure to share details about injuries you’ve suffered and prior treatments and surgery. Dr. Matsuda has vast experience in successfully treating patients that have had failed hip arthroscopy by other surgeons.

Dr. Matsuda will probably ask you to walk, squat, and perform several hip maneuvers to see how your groin pain interferes with your movement and how much pain you’re experiencing. In some cases, Dr. Matsuda will order diagnostic imaging studies like X-rays or MRIs to gather more information about the bones, muscles, and soft tissues in your groin and hip.

If he suspects a hip injury, he might also recommend hip arthroscopy to examine your hip joint for signs of damage and/or degeneration.

How is groin pain treated?

Treatment of your groin pain will depend on the condition causing it. Some conditions improve with anti-inflammatory medicine including corticosteroid injections, and physical therapy.

However, if you have a torn tendon or another orthopedic issue, Dr. Matsuda can often repair the damaged tissue with an outpatient hip arthroscopy.

One of the most common causes of groin pain is a hip labral tear often caused by a relatively common bone deformity called femoroacetabular impingement (hip impingement or FAI). This condition, if left untreated, is a major cause of arthritis that may require hip replacement surgery.

Dr. Matsuda is a master at treating this condition, common in athletes, with hip arthroscopy and has authored the teaching video on his techniques for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) which has taught surgeons around the world.

Call Dr. Matsuda or make an appointment online today for expert diagnosis and treatment of groin pain.