The main differences between groin strains and hernias are as follows.
different etiologies, with inguinal strains mostly due to sports or trauma, while inguinal hernias are mainly due to weakness of the abdominal wall and increased intra-abdominal pressure, such as congenital inguinal dysplasia, abdominal surgery, etc.
The symptoms are different, although both can present with pain in the inguinal region, inguinal strains are purely painful and can be accompanied by restricted thigh movement and internal bruising. whereas an inguinal hernia belongs to the category of a reversible mass in the inguinal region, i.e. it appears when standing, walking, coughing or working and disappears when resting flat, sometimes with soreness or pain.
Treatment differs in that groin strains are treated with ice, rest and pain relief, while inguinal hernias usually require surgery.