Quadratus Plantae

The Quadratus Plantae is a deep intrinsic muscle of the foot.

Anatomical Attachments:

• Origin: This muscle has two heads: the medial head attaches to the medial surface of the calcaneus, the lateral head attaches to the lateral side of the calcaneus and to the long plantar ligament.
• Insertion: Attaches into the dorsal and plantar surface of the tendons of the flexor digitorum longus.

Action: Flexes the DIP joints in all of the toes except for the great toe.

Synergist: Flexor Digitorum longus and brevis, Lumbricals, Interossei.

Antagonist: Extensors Digitorum longus and brevis.

Nerve Supply: Lateral plantar nerves (S1, S2).

Vascular supply: Lateral plantar artery.

• Primary: The pain refers to the plantar surface of the heel.
• Satellite or associated triggers: Deep Intrinsic foot muscle.

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Trigger Point Signs and Symptoms: Difficulty in walking, paresthesia or edema of the foot.

Trigger Point Activating and Perpetuating Factors: Wearing shoes that are too small, wearing a cast shoe for a long period of time, injury to the foot or the toes, running on hard surfaces, going barefoot while walking on rocks sand or hard surfaces, exceedingly cold temperatures or wearing socks with tight bands.

Differential Diagnosis: Plantar fasciitis, Plantar warts, Hallux valgus, Stress fractures, Calcaneal compartment syndrome, (Segmental, Subluxation, Somatic dysfunction) S1 or S2 radiculopathy, Nerve entrapment, Articular dysfunction, Injured calcaneus bone, Foot trauma, Blister, Prolonged immobilization or dependency of the legs, Bone spurs, Diabetic Neuropathy, Hip or knee discomfort secondary to antalgic gait, Polyneuropathy, Decreased lymphatic drainage, Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Complex regional pain syndrome (Reflex sympathetic dystrophy), Systemic infections or inflammation, Nutritional inadequacy, Metabolic imbalance, Toxicity, Side effects of medication.

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