The adductor longus is the most anterior thigh adductor, forming the medial border of the femoral triangle. It is the most commonly strained adductor in football from explosive kicking and change-of-direction activities. Its tendinous origin on the pubis — just lateral to the symphysis — is the site of osteitis pubis-related adductor enthesopathy. The adductor longus tendon is the primary target of sonography-guided adductor injection.
| Origin | Anterior pubic body — just lateral to the pubic symphysis, the most anterior adductor origin |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Middle third of the medial lip of the linea aspera |
| Nerve Supply | Obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4) — anterior division |
| Blood Supply | Deep femoral artery perforators |
| Actions | Hip adduction (primary function); Hip flexion assistance (below 60 degrees); Hip external rotation assistance |
|---|
Adductor longus strain produces medial groin pain reproduced by resisted adduction with the hip in neutral. The Munich consensus on groin pain classifies it as adductor-related groin pain. Return-to-sport criteria include pain-free resisted adduction at full strength and completion of progressive running and sport-specific load. Proximal adductor longus tendon avulsion at the pubis requires surgical reattachment in complete tears in athletes.
The adductor longus tendon is palpable as the most prominent medial thigh cord from the pubis during resisted hip adduction — the most easily identified adductor clinically.
Muscle-tendon junction injury from explosive kicking producing medial groin pain managed with progressive adductor loading rehabilitation.
