Adductor Hallucis

General information

Adductor hallucis is a two-headed, intrinsic muscle in the sole of the foot. There are three foot plantar muscle groups, the lateral, medial and central. The adductor hallucis belongs to the medial group.

Literal meaning

The muscle that leads the big toe toward (the other toes).

Interesting information

Although the Adductor Hallucis belongs to the medial plantar group, it is located in the foot’s central compartment and it makes up the third layer of the plantar muscles in the foot, along with the flexor hallucis brevis and flexor digiti minimi brevis.

Origin

Oblique head: bases of metatarsal bones 2-4, cuboid bone, lateral cuneiform bone, tendon of fibularis longus.

Transverse head: plantar metatarsophalangeal ligaments of toes 3-5, deep transverse metatarsal ligaments of toes 3-5.

Insertion

Lateral aspect of base of proximal phalanx of great toe.

Function 

1st Metatarsophalangeal joint: Toe adduction, toe flexion.

Support of longitudinal and transverse arches of foot.

Nerve supply

Lateral plantar nerve (S2, S3).

Blood supply

Medial plantar artery, lateral plantar artery, plantar arch, plantar metatarsal arteries.

Relevant research

Hallux varus is a deformity that can present secondary to the release of the soft tissues surrounding the first metatarsophalangeal joint surfaces, including the adductor hallucis, during bunion surgery.

Barp, E. A., Temple, E. W., Hall, J. L., & Smith, H. L. (2018). Treatment of Hallux Varus After Traumatic Adductor Hallucis Tendon Rupture. The Journal of foot and ankle surgery: official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, 57(2), 418–420.

Adductor hallucis exercises

There is evidence in the research that when hallux valgus is present there is a muscular imbalance between the abductor hallucis and adductor hallucis. To strength the foot intrinsic muscles and therefore prevent or correct this deformity, the short-foot (SF) or toes-spread-out exercises should be performed.

Kim, M. H., Kwon, O. Y., Kim, S. H., & Jung, D. Y. (2013). Comparison of muscle activities of abductor hallucis and adductor hallucis between the short foot and toe-spread-out exercises in subjects with mild hallux valgus. Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, 26(2), 163–168.

Toe adduction squeeze

Place some wedges or cotton buds between your toes, and squeeze inwards. This exercise will help improve strength in your toes and intrinsic foot muscles.

Toe spread out

Place a band around your toes and open them outwards. This exercise will help improve strength in your toes and intrinsic foot muscles.