Adductor Longus

Original Editor - Leana Louw

Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Leana Louw, Memoona Awan, Kim Jackson, Ines Musabyemariya and Vidya Acharya

Introduction

Adductor longus

Adductor longus is one of the adductor muscles of the medial thigh. Together with adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis and obturator externus, it makes up the hip adductors.

This large fan-shaped muscle is situated most anteriorly of this group and covers the middle part of adductor magnus and the anterior part of adductor brevis.

The muscle forms the medial border of the femoral triangle.

The muscles in this compartment are believed to be evolved from both hip extensor and flexor columns.

Attachment-areas.

Origin

Strong tendon from anterior aspect of pubic body inferior to pubic crest.

Insertion

Expands into a fan shape, attaching broadly to the linea aspera on the middle third of femur.

This insertion point is between the insertion of the adductor magnus and the origin of vastus medialis muscle, and inferior to the adductor brevis insertion.

Nerve

Hip adductors and others

Anterior devision of obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4).

Function

The main action of the adductor group of muscles is to adduct the thigh at the hip joint.

1. The adductor longus muscle also plays a role in external/lateral rotation and flexion of the thigh.
2. Along with the other hip adductors it helps to stabilize the pelvis in standing and aiding in balancing the body on the lower limb during walking.
   

   Pulled Groin Muscle

Physiotherapy Relevance

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.

Assessment and Treatment

Soccer kick, a game with adductor injury risk.

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.

• Manual muscle testing:

• Adductor squeeze test