Trauma & Sports

Groin and Pubic Pain in the Young Athlete

Groin pain during sports affects young soccer players and athletes: causes, diagnosis and recovery pathway.

Updated: April 2026·Medically reviewed by Dr. Daniele Priano

Quick Answers

Does pubalgia heal on its own?
With relative rest and a targeted rehabilitation program, youth groin pain generally improves, but there is no single fixed timeline: recovery depends on which structure is involved (adductors, iliopsoas, inguinal region, pubic symphysis or hip) and on how early load is adjusted. The key is not to ignore the pain and to start an evaluation and a specific rehabilitation program.
Does my child have to stop playing soccer?
Once the diagnosis is established, some conditions permit modified activity while others need a pause or protected loading. Return to football is gradual and follows clinical and functional recovery. Acute pain, marked limping or inability to bear weight should be assessed before continuing.
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Groin and pubic pain ("pubalgia") in young athletes is not a single condition but an umbrella term covering several possible sources — particularly relevant in those who play soccer, hockey, rugby or sports with repeated direction changes, sprints and kicks.

The pain source may be adductor-related, iliopsoas-related, inguinal-related, pubic-related or hip-related. Growth, training and load tolerance may contribute to some presentations but do not establish the diagnosis. Acute pain, marked limping or inability to bear weight require prompt assessment before exercise or continued sport.

During the evaluation we reconstruct the history of pain, its evolution over time and its impact on sports activity, and work to localize which structure is generating the pain. In adolescents, the differential diagnosis also includes apophyseal avulsion fractures (ASIS, AIIS, ischial tuberosity), slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) and other hip pathology, which must be actively excluded, especially when pain is atypical, persistent or associated with limping. Distinguishing groin pain from these other causes is essential for the right treatment plan. In most young athletes, a personalized rehabilitation program and careful load management lead to good recovery, though the timeline varies with the underlying cause.

Assessment and treatment

When to seek evaluation

  • Groin pain during or after sports activity
  • Pain on palpation of the pubis or adductors
  • Difficulty with kicks, direction changes, or sprints
  • Pain that worsens progressively despite rest
  • Morning stiffness in the groin region

What is evaluated

  • Palpation of the pubic symphysis and muscle insertions
  • Adductor strength testing (squeeze test) and abdominals
  • Hip and pelvis flexibility assessment
  • Gait and sports biomechanics examination
  • Ultrasound or MRI to exclude structural injuries
  • Exclusion of differential diagnoses (inguinal hernia, hip pathology)

Treatment options

  • Relative rest from causative sports activity
  • Targeted physical therapy: abdominal and adductor strengthening
  • Progressive return-to-sport program
  • Posterior chain and adductor stretching
  • Gradual return to sport with load management

Frequently Asked Questions

Does pubalgia heal on its own?▼
With relative rest and a targeted rehabilitation program, youth groin pain generally improves, but there is no single fixed timeline: recovery depends on which structure is involved (adductors, iliopsoas, inguinal region, pubic symphysis or hip) and on how early load is adjusted. The key is not to ignore the pain and to start an evaluation and a specific rehabilitation program.
Does my child have to stop playing soccer?▼
Once the diagnosis is established, some conditions permit modified activity while others need a pause or protected loading. Return to football is gradual and follows clinical and functional recovery. Acute pain, marked limping or inability to bear weight should be assessed before continuing.
Can pubalgia be related to growth?▼
During adolescence, load tolerance and sporting demands change, but groin pain has several possible causes, including apophyseal injury or hip conditions. It should not automatically be explained by “bones growing faster than muscles”. Diagnosis comes first, followed by appropriate adjustments to training and any exercises.
How is pubalgia distinguished from an inguinal hernia?▼
A hernia may cause a groin swelling that can be intermittent; absence of a visible lump does not exclude it. The clinician assesses location, symptoms and examination findings and requests imaging when needed. A suddenly painful swelling, especially with vomiting or an unwell child, needs urgent assessment.
Which exercises are most useful in recovery?▼
An effective program combines progressive strengthening of adductors and deep abdominals, work on pelvic control, and mobility of the hip and lumbar spine. It is a gradual path, to be built with the physical therapist, that starts from low-load exercises and progresses over time to sport-specific movements. Progression is guided by symptoms: no exercise should trigger significant pain.
Can the pain come back after it has gone?▼
Yes, relapses are not uncommon if predisposing factors are not corrected: excessive training loads, muscle imbalances, suboptimal technical movements, insufficient rest. To reduce the risk of recurrence we work together on adequate planning, good general athletic preparation, and careful load progression during rapid growth phases.
Are imaging tests always needed?▼
Not always. In the typical clinical picture, the diagnosis is mainly clinical. Ultrasound or MRI are used selectively to rule out structural injuries or in cases that do not respond as expected to the rehabilitation program.

Important Notice: The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Each clinical case is unique: the appropriate treatment is determined during the specialist consultation, based on a thorough clinical examination and, where necessary, diagnostic imaging. For any doubts or concerns, please consult a specialist.