Hurt groin while deadlifting

[Max2018]

No they didn't perform an ultrasound. I think I will need to get this looked at again, I tried going back to the gym after a week off, squats were a no go, didn't like the feeling I was getting doing some light power cleans, managed to do some pressing with a little bit of groin irritation, and some chins

[Corrie]

It may amaze you to know that some doctors couldn't diagnose a direct or indirect inguinal (or a femoral) hernia if any of them bit them in the crotch. Some hernia's would tax even a great diagnostician such as myself. Unless you're now totally pain-free, I'd insist on an ultrasound. It'll also pick up a torsion which may require surgery but which would rarely become pain-free. It can also pick up a scrotal hematoma. If that's the issue you won't generally need to do anything.

I went to Shouldice with similar symptoms as OP and they looked at me for 2 seconds, said there was no lump so I had no hernia and sent me on my way. I was surprised considering I've read a hernia doesn't always present a lump but Shouldice is supposed to be the best place for hernias so I just accepted it...

I did have a testicular ultrasound at some point that found nothing. It's been several years now and I still have this pain in my lower right stomach and right testicle that no one seems to understand. It comes and goes and I just live with it.

I'm not sure how you explain to the doc you have a hernia without the presentation of a lump. It makes it even harder being in Canada where getting a referral to a specialist can be hard. A urologist already turned me down, wouldn't even see me based on these symptoms. (I thought it might be chronic epididymitis due to the constant testicular pain)

[Feng_Li]

I had an inguinal hernia without a lump, and pain symptoms similar to what you describe - sharp pain in the lower abdomen and I thought someone had put the testicle in a vise. It felt like a small slit when I poked at it with my finger, and I could produce a very slight bulge with a hard valsalva. The surgeon theorized that it was located directly over the nerve, so it pinched and irritated when I moved.

The first doc I saw agreed with my self-diagnosis, prescribed garlic and tea for my cough and crunches to strengthen my abs (while telling me about his newfound interest in yoga), and advised me to come back if it got worse. The second doctor I saw that day referred me to a general surgeon.

[Yngvi]

I had something very similar happen about 4 weeks ago. I was doing a heavy deadlift and at lockout had a popping sensation in the groin area. It felt more like the leg below the groin. I had some mild discomfort in the leg, abdomen and testicle for 30 minutes or so. The next two days I had some mild pain and discomfort in the abdomen higher up near the illiac crest and in the medial, posterior part of the leg about a foot below the groin, but not in the testicle. After two days, it went away completely. I have been lifting heavy and haven't felt anything since. I did not seek a diagnosis. Looking at the anatomy, I speculate I may have strained the sartorius. Still a little concerned about possible hernia.

I have also since become very cognizant of the fact that I often tap the testicle at lockout of the deadlift.

[Yngvi]

One more item of testicular conjecture for thought:

I noticed that since I have a belly, big thighs and flexible hamstrings, it is very possible for me to apply substantial pressure to the testicle or put it in a position that pulls on it uncomfortably at the bottom of the deadlift. This occurs only if my stance is narrow and is more noticeable if i am using deadlift shoes instead of olympic lifting shoes.