Adductor Brevis

Original Editor - Lucinda hampton Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton and Kim Jackson




Original Editor -

Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton and Kim Jackson

Introduction

The adductor brevis muscle a hip adductor muscle, in the medial compartment of the thigh.

It lies:

1. Immediately deep to the pectineus and adductor longus.
2. In between the anterior and posterior divisions of the obturator nerve.

Anatomy

Attachments

Originates from the body of pubis and inferior pubic rami.

It attaches to the linea aspera on the posterior surface of the femur, proximal to the adductor longus.

Actions: Adduction of the thigh.

Innervation: Obturator nerve (L2-L4).

Function

Hip adduction and Hip flexion. Whether it acts to rotate the femur laterally or medially is dependent on position.

All adductor muscles in the thighs pull the legs toward the middle when walking, in order to maintain balance. Overall they play an important role in balancing the pelvis during standing and walking. This occurs in the closed chain activation.

Clinical Relevance- Adductor injury

Adductor Tendinopathy is a common cause of medial leg and groin pain, especially among athletes. It is a common among injury in such sports as eg ice skating, horse riding, soccer, football, karate, running. Sudden changes in direction cause a quick adduction against a large abduction force thereby stressing the tendon, most commonly at its origin. It is caused by a disproportional strain of the muscles, often in combination with a poor warm-up and a lack of stretching.

• Risk factors- previous hip or groin injury as well as age, weak adductors, muscle fatigue, decreased range of motion, and inadequate stretching of the adductor muscle complex. Anatomical variances also play a role eg excessive pronation or leg-length discrepancy.
• Symptoms - pain extending to the inguinal and knee region when stretching and straining the muscles.

Treatment

Adductor injuries are often overlooked. An early assessment is essential to prevent it becoming a career threatening injury for an athlete.

• For a guide to Physiotherapy treatment and assessment see Groin Strain Adductor Tendinopathy
• It is essential to do a thorough assessment of the pelvis and core as well as the thigh muscles. Designing a strengthening program to address which muscles are weak and which muscles are tight is vital. Treatment should include strengthening of the muscles around pelvis and core, along side with stretches to be completed following all training sessions.