Opponens Pollicis

The Opponens Pollicis is a muscle of the hand.

Anatomical Attachments:

• Origin: Attaches to the ridge of the trapezium bone and from the flexor retinaculum.
• Insertion: Attaches to the radial side of the 1st metacarpal bone.

Action: Abducts, rotates and flexes the thumb.

Synergist: Abductor pollicis brevis, Flexor pollicis brevis and Adductor pollicis.

Antagonist: Palmaris brevis, Abductor digiti minimi, Flexor digiti minimi, Opponens digiti minimi

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Nerve Supply: Median Nerve (C6, C7).

Vascular supply: Superficial volar branch of the radial artery.

• Primary: The pain refers to the palmar surface of the thumb and wrist.
• Satellite or associated triggers: Dorsal interosseus, Flexor pollicis brevis, Abductor pollicis brevis.

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Trigger Point Signs and Symptoms: Thumb pain, difficulty with holding objects.

Trigger Point Activating and Perpetuating Factors: Knitting, coloring or drawing for long periods of time.

Differential Diagnosis: (Segmental, Subluxation, Somatic dysfunction) C6 or C7 radiculopathy, Carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis, Carpometacarpal dysfunction, Osteoarthritis, Articular Dysfunction, Paronychia (Ingrown thumbnail), Bone cancer, Bone fracture, Strain/Sprain, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dupuytren’s Contracture, Ganglion cyst, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Raynaud’s Phenomenon, Frostbite, Diabetic Neuropathy, Systemic infections or inflammation, Nutritional inadequacy, Metabolic imbalance, Toxicity, Side effects of medication.

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