Adductor Tear Treatment Options

Rest and Activity Modification

For minor tears (Grade I), avoiding aggravating activities is often the first step. This allows the muscle fibers to heal without further strain.

Ice and Anti-inflammatory Medications

Applying ice for 15-20 minutes several times a day and using NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) can help reduce pain and inflammation in the early phase.

Physical Therapy

A structured rehabilitation program is key. It typically includes:

• Stretching and range-of-motion exercises
• Strengthening the core and hip stabilizers
• Gradual return-to-sport protocols

Working with a licensed physical therapist ensures that the progression is safe and tailored to the injury’s severity.

While most adductor tears respond well to conservative care, surgical intervention may be necessary in cases involving:

• Complete avulsion of the adductor tendon (typically the adductor longus) from the pubic bone
• High-grade partial tears that fail to improve with rehabilitation
• Chronic groin pain due to poorly healed or recurrent injuries
• Professional or competitive athletes requiring full return to high-level function

Open Adductor Longus Tendon Repair

The most common surgical approach for an adductor tear is open repair of the adductor longus tendon. In this procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision near the groin to locate the torn tendon, which is then mobilized and reattached to its original location on the pubic bone using suture anchors. This direct, anatomical repair is considered the gold standard for acute tendon avulsions and allows the muscle to regain its native tension and function. Risks of the procedure are relatively low but can include infection, scar formation, or temporary nerve irritation, particularly involving nearby nerves such as the ilioinguinal or obturator nerves.

Tendon Reconstruction or Grafting

In cases where the tendon has retracted too far or the tissue quality is poor—often seen in chronic or neglected tears—a tendon reconstruction may be necessary. This involves using a tendon graft, either from the patient (autograft) or a donor (allograft), to bridge the gap between the muscle and its attachment site. The graft is then secured using suture anchors or screws. While this approach is more complex, it can be effective for restoring function in patients where a primary repair is not possible.

Adductor Tenotomy (for select cases of chronic pain)

Another surgical option, though less commonly used for acute tears, is adductor tenotomy. This involves a partial or complete surgical release of the adductor tendon and is generally reserved for patients with chronic groin pain caused by longstanding tendinopathy rather than traumatic rupture. Tenotomy can relieve tension and pain but may result in a slight decrease in adduction strength.