The adductor muscles are located on the medial aspect of the thigh. These muscles adduct the hip joint. Of the adductor muscles, the adductor longus is the most commonly injured. This is because of its limited attachments at the pubic bone and poor mechanical advantage. An injury results in pain high on the inside of the thigh with sports (especially soccer and hockey). The pain can be reproduced by active contraction and palpation of the adductor longus tendon at it origin. Prevention, involves pre-season training to improve the strength of the adductors relative to the abductors and improved flexibility. Once injured, the tendon is very slow to heal because of a poor blood supply at its origin.
Conservative treatment consists of analgesics to control discomfort with active physical therapy. If conservative treatment fails then steroid injections can be helpful. An operation is sometimes required, if other treatments have failed. Surgery consists of a tenotomy of the adductor longus tendon and reattachment. Limiting the release and reattachment of the tendon helps to prevent any weakness.
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