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6.10 ABDUCTOR DIGITI MINIMI AND FLEXOR DIGITORUM BREVIS

 

 

Figure 13. Pain pattern referred from TrPs in commonly observed locations in adbuctor digiti minimi and flexor digitorum brevis (Travell & Simons, 1992).

 

Symptoms

• Patients will usually complain of unbearably sore feet that have not responded or have been aggravated by orthotic therapy.

• A deep and aching pain may be present at night.

 

Trigger Point Examination

• Abductor digiti minimi is best palpated via the pincer technique along the lateral border of the foot.

• Flexor digitorum brevis lies deep to the plantar aponeurosis, making palpation very difficult

• It may benefit to plantarflex the metatarsophalangeal joints to slacken the plantar aponeurosis prior to palpation.

 

Associated Trigger Points

• TrPs in abductor digiti minimi tends to manifest independantly of other muscles and are usually believed to be the result of tight footwear.

• TrPs in flexor digitorum brevis are generally associated with TrPs in the long flexors.

 

 

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