Groin pain and an unusual sound when kicking in karate

[u/Paul15759]

Hi everyone,

I've been experiencing groin pain for quite a while, especially when doing certain kicks. The pain is mainly there at the beginning of training and usually gets better or disappears once I've warmed up. However, some kicks can still cause mild pain.

Recently, I've also noticed an unusual sound when I kick with my leg. It sounds a bit like a ball dropping. It's difficult to describe.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? What could be causing this, and how did you deal with it?

Thanks!😃

[u/Peakychu6]

  It sounds a bit like a ball dropping.

lol!!!

Sorry sorry my badS

In all seriousness you could get injured, likes groin pull or a ligament or something, get checked 

[u/Eegore1]

Whatever you do, don't get professional advice. Stick to Reddit.

[u/furyo_usagi → u/Eegore1]

Yeah, listen to me instead. I'm not a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[u/TizzleBizzle2627 → u/furyo_usagi]

“I understood that reference”

[u/clone31337]

Rough guess is tendinitis of the sartorius muscle.

I generally deal with those sorts of injuries with rest, active rest, and muscle and fascial release techniques, but you should really have it looked at.

[u/Wilbie9000]

If it was just pain at the beginning of practice I’d suggest stretching and warming up a bit more. But the addition of the noise makes it seem like an injury.

Go see a doctor. You don’t want to rely on Reddit for this sort of thing. You want to find out what is really going on now before it becomes a serious problem.

[u/Kendle_C]

Probably hip displacia the ball of the hip returning to the socket. People's hips are different, trying to match the sensei. You may need to tone back a bit. I trained for over 20 years and now have two hip replacements, I suspect I pushed too hard, perhaps you're over stretching. Don't overly compare yourself to your classmates. I'd get an appointment with a Physiatrist to analyze your X-rays. He can tell a lot just from gait. Still too tight of ligaments, misalignment or you may need MORE stretching, slow. Try pre loading/warming up the muscle before stretching, not cold. Don't just stop with this advice, get some medical assessment.

[u/WatashiwaNobodyDesu]

In general “listen to your body” is figurative. In this case you need to literally listen to the noise, realise it’s not normal, and get it checked out before it’s too late!

[u/gedanmawashigeri]

Please see a medical professional.

[u/Tribblehappy]

Snapping hip syndrome maybe? It's worth chatting with a doctor so you can rule out if it's something that should be treated with rest.

[u/Smiley_Sid → u/Tribblehappy]

This. A physio could confirm it too.

[u/GrooGrux]

Rest and see a doctor. After you understand your body's situation do any therapy they say, check back in.

[u/Responsible-Pitch363]

Doctor. It could be simple, but if it’s not, catch it early for better longevity

[u/KanKrusha_NZ]

This sounds like iliopsoas tendinitis or “popping hip syndrome”. Do you sleep on your side? If so, Try putting a cushion between your knees. Should settle over a few weeks. Also work on hip strength and gluteal muscle exercises.

[u/OrganizationMoist460]

If deep in the hip, get checked for a labrum tear.

I’ve had it in both hips after decades of karate

[u/Calum_M]

Talk to you Sensei, they might have encountered this before.

Do you exercise? If so what kicks, where is the pain and where is the popping sound? It might be a simple case of chair disease or similar but it might not.

Third. See a physiotherapist. Ideally one who works with martial arts or sports, but most will probably be okay. It may only take a couple of sessions to get you heading in the right direction. If they prescribe remedial exercises DO THEM. And keep doing them after it feels better.

[u/Arokthis]

Stop asking a bunch of random weirdos for medical advice and GO SEE A DOCTOR.

[u/djgost82 → u/Arokthis]

This is the ONLY correct answer!

[u/AccordingNeat3689]

Do you have a popping sensation anywhere?

[u/AmphibianQuiet8657]

I suggest you get that checked out. You can seriously harm yourself in the long run as you age without proper care. 

[u/Wdpky]

#1 get it checked!

But also make sure clothes aren’t too tight pulling, stretch muscles well before training as well, and any pain get checked sooner rather than later!

[u/llViP3rll]

See a physio. Expecially if youre not a teenager. That stuff doesnt just go away

[u/jackc2202]

Look, I get that American healthcare care is messed up but you should really see a medical professional

[u/Tigereyesxx]

As a long term Karateka, if it hurts, STOP doing it, rest the area that hurts and do other techniques that you can tolerate. If necessary see a Doctor, although a groin strain needs rest normally…

[u/Adam89G]

Not enough context.. you need to consider your warm up, stretching, strength through the joint, typical ROM..

Does it tighten up afterwards for a few days?

Your body is probably telling you something you're not listening to. Groins/hips are kinda fiddly.. to be strong in a motion that you don't typically use regularly takes a little more care...

You might do well to stretch and do some strength work on the area between sessions, something with resistance bands perhaps if you don't want to join a gym just to use dedicated equipment.

Not an expert.. just aim for something with science behind it and try things till it works. The further along you get the more specific your warm up might be. Or visit physio and be charged a fortune.

Sensei might even have a good idea for you.. although mine thinks protein is a liquid that tells your muscles to grow.