The Muscles that Adduct the
Femur at the
Acetabulofemoral (Hip) Joint
Hip Adductors
•
There are five primary muscles that adduct
the femur
• They all cross the hip joint
• The 5 muscles that adduct the femur at the
hip joint from lateral to medial are:
– Pectineus
– Adductor Longus
– Gracilis
– Adductor Brevis
– Adductor Magnus
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Hip Adductors
• Adductors work with the abductors to keep
the pelvis stable during flexion and extension
(walking, running, climbing…)
– Adductors and Abductors must be balanced
in strength and flexibility
– Adductors are difficult to condition because
they influence balance. (Side lying activities
are best so they can work against gravity)
• If abductors overpower adductors, the pelvis
will tilt to the side of the strong abductors.
• It would be the same if the adductors
overpower the abductors
Pectineus
Pectineus means comb
because this muscle
has a comb like
appearance.
O: Pubis
I: Posterior Surface of
Femur (inferior to the
lesser trochanter of
femur)
A:
1. Adduction of Hip
2. Flexion of Hip
3. Anterior Tilt of Pelvis
Pectineus
• Integrated Function:
–Assists in eccentric deceleration of
abduction of the femur
–Assists in eccentric deceleration of
lateral rotation of the hip
–Assists in dynamic stabilization of the
lumbo-pelvic-hip complex
Gracilis
This muscle means graceful and slender
O: Pubis
I: Medial surface of tibial shaft,
just posterior to sartorius
A:
1. Adduction of Hip
2. Flexion of Hip
3. Anterior Tilt of Pelvis
4. Flexion of Knee
Gracilis
• Integrated Function:
–Assists in eccentric deceleration of
hip abduction
–Assists in eccentric deceleration of
knee extension
–Assists in dynamic stabilization of the
hip and knee
Transplantation of the Gracilis
• Weaker member of the adductor group, it can
be removed without noticeable loss of function
and surgeons often transplant the muscle with
its nerve and blood vessels to replace a
damaged muscle in the hand.
• Once in the hand it produces digital flexion and
extension.
Adductor Longus
This muscle tells us that it is
an adductor and long
O: Pubis
I: Linea Aspera of the Femur
A:
1. Adduction of Hip
2. Flexion of Hip
3. Anterior Tilt of Pelvis
Adductor Brevis
This muscle is an adductor and short.
O: Pubis
I: Linea Aspera of Femur
A:
1. Adduction of Hip
2. Flexion of Hip
3. Anterior Tilt of Pelvis
Adductor Magnus
Largest and Deepest Adductor
O: Pubis and Ischial Tuberosity
I: Linea Aspera of Femur
Adductor Tubercle of Femur
(above condyle on medial side)
A:
• Adduction of Hip
• Extension of Hip
• Posterior Tilt of Pelvis
Adductor
Hiatus: an
opening for
the femoral
artery and
vein to pass
through
Adductor Longus, Brevis, and
Magnus
• Integrated Function:
– Assists in eccentric deceleration of hip
adduction and lateral rotation
– Assists in dynamic stabilization of the lumbopelvic-hip complex during functional
movements
– The Adductor Magnus assists in eccentric
deceleration of hip flexion
Groin Pull
• Depending on the severity, a groin pull can
range from a slight stretching, to a complete
rupture of the hip adductor muscles.
• Of the hip adductors, it is Adductor Longus that
is most susceptible to injury, and the most
common place of injury on Adductor Longus is
insertion.
• This can result from the quick starts and stops
of kicking and running sports. These injuries are
especially common in soccer but are also seen
in racket sports, basketball, hockey, volleyball,
and football.
How to Prevent and Treat a Groin Pull
• Proper warm up and stretching is key to injury
prevention
• Stretch the Hip Adductors and Hip Flexors
• Treatment:
– For immediate relief, follow the R.I.C.E. treatment
plan. Rest, Ice, Compression and elevation are the
best immediate treatment for all pulls and strains.
– Avoid aggravating activities for the first 1 to 2
weeks.
– Once activity is started again, ice the muscle after
exercise to reduce any swelling. After applying the
ice, wrap the thigh to keep it compressed.
Supine SB Squeeze
•
This exercise can be performed standing, side
lying or supine
 Back supported and core engaged
 Hip flexion to about 45 or 90 degrees
 Adduct Hips and squeeze
Lateral Lunge
•
Joint Actions:
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–
–
–
•
Hip Adduction (trailing leg)
Hip Extension (lead leg)
Knee Extension (lead leg)
Ankle Plantarflexion (lead leg)
Primary Muscles Strengthened:
– Hip Adductors (trailing leg)
– Gluteus Maximus and Hamstrings (lead leg)
– Quadriceps (lead leg)
– Adductor Magnus (lead leg)
– Gastrocnemius and Soleus (lead leg
Lateral Lunge
• Lateral lunges are problematic
because to reach parallel requires a
great deal of flexibility of the hip
adductors.
• Not everyone has this ability and will
not be able to reach parallel with the
leg they step out with.
Lateral Lunge
• You must have adequate CORE strength
and functional flexibility in the Lumbo
Pelvic Hip Complex (LPHC), and calves,
in order to perform this movement
without compensation
• Some common compensations:
– Low back arches – stretch Psoas /
Rectus Femoris (hip flexors)
– External Rotation of Back Foot/Knee –
stretch Gastroc / Soleus (calves).
Performing the Lateral Lunge
• Keep upper torso erect. (Leaning
forward may be a result of poor hip
joint flexibility.)
• From optimal postural alignment, draw
your lower abdomen inward toward
your spine
• While maintaining optimal spinal
alignment, step laterally and descend
slowly by bending at the hips, knees
and ankles.
• Your pelvis should stay square to the
front as your torso stays erect.
Performing the Lateral Lunge
• During the descent maintain weight
distribution between the heels and midfoot.
• Do not allow the feet to cave inward or
shift outward.
• The knees should track between the first
and second toes.
• Perform downward reps slowly and
concentrate on the descent and the
alignment of your body.
• Only descend down as far as you can
maintain optimal alignment
Lateral Step-Up
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Joint Actions:
Hip Adduction (trailing leg)
Plantarflexion (trailing leg)
Hip Extension (lead leg)
Knee Extension (lead leg)
Plantarflexion (lead leg)
Primary Muscles Strengthened:
– Hip Adductors (trailing leg)
– Gastrocnemius and Soleus (trailing leg)
– Gluteus Maximus and Hamstrings (lead leg)
– Quadriceps (lead leg)
– Gastrocnemius and Soleus (lead leg)
Lateral Step-Up
• Begin standing
sideways next to a
box or bench
• Step up with the
inside leg
• Place entire foot on
box
• Keep back, head and
shoulders aligned
• Keep knees and toes
pointing forward
Standing Adductor Stretch
• Begin with one leg
straight and the opposite
leg bent.
• Both feet are pointed
straight ahead.
• Draw your belly button
inward.
• Slowly move in a
sideways motion toward
the bent leg until you feel
a stretch in the straight
leg groin area.
• Hold for 20-30 seconds,
repeat for 2-3 reps.
• Switch sides and repeat
directions.
Supine Straight Leg Adductor
Stretch with Rope
• Preparation :
• Strap rope around
the forefoot
• Movement :
Use the rope to
Abduct the leg until
first resistance is
felt, hold for 20 sec.
repeat for 3-4 reps.
Adductor Stretch Seated on SB
• Seated on ball, assume
a side lunge position.
• Keep extended leg
straight with your weight
on bent leg.
• Draw your belly button
inward and then perform
a posterior pelvic tilt.
• Shift your weight toward
the front foot until a
slight resistance barrier
(stretch) is felt on the
straight leg.
• Hold for 20-30 seconds,
repeat for 2-3 reps.
• Explore different hip
positions to find specific
"tight spots".
Seated and Supine Hip
Adductor Stretch
Adductor Magnus Stretch