Muscles

Extensor hallucis longus

Extends the big toe; dorsiflexes the ankle.

Referred pain map

Extensor hallucis longus (right panel) — trigger point in the anterior lower leg with referred pain to the top of the big toe; the left panel shows the neighboring extensor digitorum longus pattern.

Overview

Extends the big toe; dorsiflexes the ankle. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.

Trigger point locations

Anterior lower leg, central column.

Referred pain pattern

Top of the big toe and the dorsal foot.

Palpation & testing

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

Common causes

Running, tight shoes, neural mobility issues.

Self-care & clinical treatment

Toe mobility, shoe assessment. Clinically: needling.

Symptoms commonly linked

Big toe pain
Foot numbness (non-radicular)

References

• Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction