Muscles
Extensor digitorum brevis
Extends the medial four toes.
Overview
Extends the medial four toes. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Dorsolateral foot.
Referred pain pattern
Dorsal foot pain, sometimes mistaken for a stress fracture.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Tight shoes, running, repeated dorsiflexion.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Toe mobility, shoe assessment. Clinically: needling.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction