Muscles
Extensor digitorum
Extends the fingers and assists wrist extension.
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
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction