There are five adductor muscles: Pectineus, Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Magnus and Gracilis; Together these form the bulk of the ‘groin’. These muscles work in tandem to bring the leg inwards from an abducted position (think thigh master). Adductor Longus the second largest of the hip adductors taking its origin from the anterior lower ramus of the pubic bone and inserting mid-way down the femur. Like the Brevis and Magnus, the Adductor Longus plays a crucial role in locomotion, hip adduction and hip stabilization. One of the main times we see this muscle manifest trigger points is with osteoarthritis of the hip joint.
MUSCLE COMMENT
O/A hip an overview
Osteoarthritis begins with degenerative changes of the articular cartilage in a localized, nonuniform manner. This process is followed by a subsequent thickening of the subchondral bone, new bony outgrowths at joint margins (osteophytes), and mild-to-moderate synovial inflammation (synovitis).
O/A hip is categorized as primary (idiopathic) or secondary (systemic or localized) disease. Risk factors for primary osteoarthritis of the hip include old age, high bone mass, a genetic predisposition for the disease, increased BMI, participation in weight-bearing sports (e.g., running at an elite level), and occupations that require prolonged standing, lifting, or moving of heavy objects.
Secondary causes (systemic) include hemochromatosis, hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, acromegaly, hyperlaxity syndromes, Paget’s disease, gout, and chondrocalcinosis.
Localized risk factors include joint injury, developmental deformities (e.g., slipped capital femoral epiphysis), Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease, acetabular dysplasia, osteonecrosis, and rheumatoid or septic arthritis as a result of cartilage damage.
How do you treat trigger these trigger points? We’d be delighted if you want to share your own best practice.