Abductor Hallucis Strain

What is the abductor hallucis muscle?

The abductor hallucis muscle lies along the inside of the foot. It originates at the calcaneus bone at the back of the foot and inserts on the side of the big toe. It flexes and abducts the big toe and supports the medial (inside) arch of the foot.

What are the signs and symptoms?

• Pain along the medial longitudinal arch of the foot (pain along the inside arch of the foot).
• The athlete may over pronate.
• Pain and tenderness when pressing into the foot along the tendon of the abductor hallucis muscle.

What can the athlete do?

• Rest.
• Apply cold therapy
• Tape the foot to take the strain off the arch of the foot while it is healing.
• Wear insoles that help reduce or prevent over-pronation

What can the sports injury professional do?

• Diagnose the injury
• Tape the foot
• Presrcibe Ibuprofen
• Apply electrotherapy such as ultrasound to help with pain and inflammation
• Apply sports massage techniques to the foot to aid healing
• Advise on a gradual rehabilitation programme