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Anatomy of the thigh/groin

The thigh is located between the pelvis, buttocks and the knee, and the femur is the single bone in the thigh. The femur is a very thick and strong bone, which forms a ball and socket joint at the hip and a condylar joint at the knee.

The thigh is split up into three fascial components – medial, posterior and anterior. Each of these areas use the femur as an axis and are separated by tough connective tissue membranes. Each has their own blood and nerve supply, and contain different groups of muscles.

Injuries to the thigh/groin

Thigh/groin injuries, usually strains like quadricep strains, are most common in footballers because the foot is under constant pressure being used in a kicking motion, and are also found in other athletes like sprinters.

Damage occurs when the muscle tissues tear when they have been forcibly stretched beyond their limits, which create pain and cramp when the area is stretched, during a resisting muscle contraction and when walking in more severe cases.