Adductor Longus

Clinical Notes

• The most commonly injured muscle in conditions/groin-strain — adductor longus accounts for the majority of sports-related groin injuries. The proximal musculotendinous junction is the typical strain site, usually from forceful abduction with the hip in flexion or from explosive adduction against resistance (kicking, cutting, skating).
• Relevant to osteitis pubis (pubic symphysis stress injury) — chronic adductor longus tension at its pubic attachment contributes to mechanical stress at the pubic symphysis, producing anterior pelvic pain that can become chronic.
• Relevant to conditions/hip-osteoarthritis �� adductor shortening is part of the OA contracture pattern. In early hip OA, the adductors tighten as part of the protective muscle guarding around the degenerating joint.
• Differential for inguinal hernia — groin pain from adductor longus TrPs can mimic inguinal hernia. Key differentiator: hernia produces a palpable bulge with Valsalva (coughing, bearing down); adductor TrPs reproduce with resisted adduction and palpation.

• Adductor longus tenderness at the pubic attachment is one of the most common findings in athletes and active individuals. The tendon is exposed and vulnerable — it takes significant load during sports involving lateral movement.
• In the general population, bilateral adductor tightness is common and contributes to limited hip abduction. On passive abduction testing, the adductors (led by adductor longus) are the primary restriction.
• TrPs in the proximal tendon-muscle junction are extremely tender — even moderate pressure reproduces the client's groin pain. This is both diagnostic and reassuring for the client (they know you have found the right spot).

• Sustained compression on the proximal TrP is effective but intense. Start with the gentler approach — longitudinal stripping along the muscle belly from mid-thigh proximally — and work toward the tender proximal attachment gradually.
• Cross-fiber work at the tendon-muscle junction (approximately 5 cm distal to the pubic tubercle) is highly effective for chronic strain presentations.
• Post-treatment stretching into hip abduction is essential. Butterfly stretch (seated, soles together, knees dropping to sides) or supine frog position provides a comfortable adductor stretch.

• The femoral artery and vein pass through the femoral triangle, just lateral to adductor longus at the proximal thigh. Always check for a pulse when working in the proximal medial groin region.
• The obturator nerve runs in the adductor compartment. Numbness or tingling along the medial thigh during treatment indicates nerve compression.
• Proximal adductor work is in a sensitive area — obtain explicit consent and explain your approach before working near the groin.

• Bilateral adductor tightness limits hip abduction and external rotation, reducing the available range for functional movements like squatting and lunging. In combination with hip flexor tightness, it contributes to a "closed hip" posture pattern that limits functional mobility.

• When assessing groin pain, the adductor longus tendon is your first stop. Place your finger on the pubic tubercle, slide just inferior and lateral onto the tendon, and ask the client to adduct against resistance. If this reproduces the pain exactly, you have your diagnosis in under 5 seconds. No other structure at this location produces that response. This is one of the fastest and most reliable clinical tests in the lower extremity.