A groin injury, also known as a groin strain or pull, is an injury that occurs when you tear or overstretch a groin muscle. The groin muscles are located in the area on either side of the body in the folds where the belly joins the legs. Groin injuries can range from a minor pull to a more serious tear of the muscle. Groin strains are common in people who play sports that require a lot of running, jumping, or sudden changes in direction, such as soccer, football, basketball, hockey, and skiing. Symptoms of a groin injury include pain and tenderness in the groin and the inside of the thigh, pain when you bring your legs together, swelling or bruising in the groin area or inner thigh, muscle spasms, weakness in the leg, and trouble walking. The severity of the injury can range from a mild strain that requires rest and proper treatment to a complete tear that requires surgery and up to three months of recovery. If you experience groin pain, it is important to talk to your doctor to determine the cause and severity of the injury and to receive appropriate treatment.