Adductor complaints

What happens with adductor complaints?

With adductor complaints, there is overload, irritation, or damage to the adductor muscles. These are the muscles on the inside of your upper leg. They help move your leg inward and stabilize the hip during walking, running, and turning.
The complaints often develop due to repeated strain, sudden force, or an incorrect build-up of training. Think of sprinting, kicking, sideways movements, or prolonged one-sided loading.
As a result of this overload, the following may occur:

• pain caused by irritation of muscle or tendon tissue
• stiffness and tension in the groin area
• loss of strength and control during movement

The body tries to recover on its own, but it needs rest, time, and later targeted loading to do so properly.

What do adductor complaints feel like?

Many people are unsure whether the pain comes from the groin or the hip. This is understandable, as these areas work closely together.
With adductor complaints, people often experience:

• a dull or sharp pain on the inside of the upper leg
• pain that worsens during sprinting, turning, or squeezing movements
• a pulling or unstable feeling in the groin
• loss of strength when pushing off or during sideways movements

Many people describe the sensation as if the groin feels “unreliable” during explosive movements.

What do adductor complaints look like?

Adductor complaints are often not immediately visible. There is usually no bruising or obvious swelling like with an acute tear. However, you may notice:

• local tenderness when pressing on the inside of the upper leg
• sometimes mild swelling or hardening in the muscle
• pain when contracting the adductor muscles

The complaints are mainly located in the muscle and tendon and are not always visible on the outside.

When do adductor complaints occur?

Adductor complaints often develop after:

• sprinting or accelerating without proper preparation
• kicking, turning, or sudden stopping movements
• a rapid increase in training load
• reduced hip or core strength

Sometimes the symptoms seem mild at first but gradually worsen. This is an important signal to take the complaints seriously.

Recovery from adductor complaints

Recovery from adductor complaints is not about complete rest, but about smart loading. Continuing too quickly increases the risk of worsening symptoms, while doing too little leads to stiffness and weakness.
Many people notice:

• stiffness after periods of rest
• uncertainty during explosive movements
• recurring pain when progression is too fast

With proper guidance, recovery is often faster and the risk of recurrence is reduced.

Exercises for adductor complaints

Proper exercises are essential to:

• build strength in the adductor muscles
• improve hip control and stability
• restore confidence in movement

Exercises are always built up gradually. First controlled tension, later increased load or explosive movements. Progressing too quickly increases the risk of recurring complaints.

Tips for adductor complaints

Some important tips:

• do not force painful movements
• build load step by step
• pay attention to soreness after activity
• combine strength with control and stability

Recovery is not a sprint, but a process.

Treatment at De Fysio Man

At De Fysio Man, we guide you through the full recovery process for adductor complaints. We don’t just look at the painful area, but also at how you move, train, and load your body in daily life.
Our goal is that you:

• regain confidence in your groin
• move and exercise without pain
• resume daily and sporting activities normally

Your next step

If your complaints persist or you recognize yourself in these symptoms, it’s wise not to keep pushing through the pain. With the right guidance, recovery is very achievable.
Make an appointment at De Fysio Man and work towards a strong, stable, and pain-free groin.