GENERAL INFORMATION
The medial compartment of the lower limb is a group of muscles located on the inner side of the thigh and leg. These muscles play a vital role in stabilising the lower limb, controlling movement, and providing support during weight-bearing activities.
ORIGIN
These muscles can originate from various bony landmarks, including the pelvis and femur.
INSERTION POINT
The muscles of the medial compartment have different insertion points, which include various aspects of the tibia and fibula.
MAJOR ARTERIES
The major arteries that supply the muscles of the medial compartment include the deep femoral artery, which provides blood to the thigh muscles, as well as the posterior tibial artery, which supplies the leg muscles.
NEURAL INNERVATION
Branches of the femoral nerve, obturator nerve, also tibial nerve innervate the muscles of the medial compartment. These nerves provide motor innervation for muscle contraction and sensory innervation for proprioception as well as touch.
TRIGGER POINT
Trigger points may develop in the muscles of the medial compartment, causing localised pain and discomfort. These trigger points can be triggered by muscle overuse, poor posture, or muscle imbalances. Therefore, addressing trigger points is crucial for pain management as well as muscle function.
CONCENTRIC FUNCTION
The muscles of the medial compartment function concentrically to perform various movements, including hip adduction, hip medial rotation, and ankle inversion. These muscles work together to bring the lower limb toward the midline of the body and stabilise the leg during walking, running, and other activities.
ECCENTRIC FUNCTION
The muscles of the medial compartment also function eccentrically to control movements such as hip abduction, hip lateral rotation, as well as ankle eversion. Eccentric contraction allows for controlled deceleration of these movements. It also helps to maintain stability.
ISOMETRIC FUNCTION
The muscles of the medial compartment can contract isometrically to provide stability and support during static positions or weight-bearing activities. Consequently, these isometric functions are essential for postural control and balance.
RELATED MUSCLE-SCIENTIFIC NAMES
The muscles of the medial compartment include:
- Adductor Magnus (Musculus adductor magnus): Largest adductor muscle involved in hip adduction and extension.
- Adductor Longus (Musculus adductor longus): Long muscle assisting in hip adduction and flexion.
- Adductor Brevis (Musculus adductor brevis): Short muscle aiding in hip adduction and flexion.
- Gracilis (Musculus gracilis): Thin, superficial muscle contributing to hip adduction and knee flexion.
- Obturator externus (Musculus obturator externus): Deep muscle involved in hip lateral rotation.
- Pectineus (Musculus pectineus): Flat muscle assisting in hip adduction and flexion.
ANTAGONIST MUSCLES
- Gluteus Medius: Abducts and medially rotates the thigh.
- Gluteus Minimus: Assists in thigh abduction and medial rotation.
- Tensor Fasciae Latae: Stabilises the hip and knee, which is involved in thigh abduction.
COMMON INJURIES
- Strains: Overstretching or tearing of muscle fibres, often due to sudden movements or overuse.
- Tears: Severe injuries involving partial or complete rupture of muscle fibres, causing sharp pain as well as swelling.
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of tendons from overuse, leading to pain and tenderness.
EXERCISES
- Hip Adduction Exercises:
- Description: Standing cable hip adduction, seated hip adduction machine, or side-lying leg lifts.
- Benefits: Strengthens the adductors, improving hip stability and function.
- Seated Hip Adduction Machine:
- Description: Sit on a hip adduction machine, place your legs against the pads, and squeeze them together.
- Benefits: It isolates and strengthens the medial thigh muscles.
- Side-Lying Leg Lifts:
- Description: Lie on your side, lift the top leg upwards, hold, then lower it back down.
- Benefits: Targets inner thigh muscles, enhancing strength as well as stability.
- Inner Thigh Squeezes:
- Description: Place a small ball or pillow between your inner thighs and squeeze it.
- Benefits: Engages the adductor muscles, improving muscle tone as well as strength.
- Inner Thigh Lunges:
- Description: Perform lunges with emphasis on knee alignment to engage medial compartment muscles.
- Benefits: Strengthens the adductors and enhances lower limb stability.
STRETCHES
- Butterfly Stretch:
- Description: Sit on the floor with the soles of your feet together, press down on your knees with elbows, and lean forward.
- Benefits: Improves flexibility and reduces tension in the adductor muscles.
- Standing Groin Stretch:
- Description: Stand with feet wide apart, shift weight to one side, and lean toward the opposite side.
- Benefits: Enhances flexibility and reduces tightness in the medial compartment muscles.
- Seated Adductor Stretch:
- Description: Sit with legs wide apart and reach forward.
- Benefits: Increases flexibility and releases tension in the adductor muscles.
- Side-Lying Adductor Stretch:
- Description: Lie on your side with the bottom leg extended and the top leg bent. Pull the top knee toward the chest.
- Benefits: Targets adductors, improving flexibility also reducing muscle tightness.
- Frog Stretch:
- Description: Kneel on all fours, spread knees apart, and lean forward.
- Benefits: Stretches adductor muscles, enhancing flexibility also reducing muscle tension.