Pectineus

Pointer Plus The Pointer Plus is an easy to use trigger point (TP) locator which incorporates a push button stimulation feature to immediately treat Trigger point pain.

The Pectineus is a muscle of the medial thigh.

Anatomical Attachments:

• Origin: Attaches to the pectineal line of the pubis, lateral to the pubic tubercle.
• Insertion: Attaches to the line stretching to the lesser trochanter of the linea aspera.

Action: Flexes, adducts, and medially rotates the thigh.

Synergist:

• Prime Movers: Iliopsoas, Tensor fasciae latae, Adductor brevis, Sartorius.
• Accessory Movers: Adductor longus and magnus (anterior part), Gracilis, Gluteus minimus.

Antagonist: Gluteus maximus, Adductor magnus (posterior part).

Click for Muscle Test 

Nerve Supply: Femoral and sometimes Obturator Nerves (L2, L3, L4).

Vascular supply: Medial femoral circumflex, Obturator arteries.

• Primary: The pain refers into the groin and into the superior anterior medial aspect of the thigh.
• Satellite or associated triggers: Iliopsoas, adductor magnus, adductor brevis, adductor longus, gracilis.

Click on a small image to view an enlarged image

Trigger Point Signs and Symptoms: Groin pain, restricted ROM, sleeping with a pillow between the knees eases the pain.

Trigger Point Activating and Perpetuating Factors: Mechanical overload (groin pull), tripping or falling, fracture or hip replacement, forceful adduction and flexion movement.

Differential Diagnosis: Hip joint disease, Pubic stress symphysitis, Sprain/Strain of the thigh, Groin pull, (Segmental, Subluxation, Somatic dysfunction) L1 L2 L3 or L4 radiculopathy, Lymphedema, Lymphatic cancer, Lymphogranuloma venereum, Obturator nerve entrapment (mimics similar pain patterns), Fibromyalgia, Polymyalgia rheumatica, Systemic infections or inflammation, Nutritional inadequacy, Metabolic imbalance, Toxicity, Side effects of medication.

Back to Top