Muscles

Extensor digitorum

Extends the fingers and assists wrist extension.

Referred pain map

Extensor digitorum (middle and ring finger extensors) and extensor indicis — trigger points on the dorsal forearm with referred pain along the corresponding fingers and dorsum of the hand.

Overview

Extends the fingers and assists wrist extension. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.

Trigger point locations

Dorsal forearm along the middle third.

Referred pain pattern

Dorsum of the hand and into the middle three fingers.

Palpation & testing

Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.

Common causes

Keyboard use, racquet sports, sustained gripping.

Self-care & clinical treatment

Eccentric finger extension, hand stretches. Clinically: needling.

Symptoms commonly linked

Lateral elbow pain (tennis elbow)
Wrist pain
Finger numbness (non-radicular)

References

• Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction