The adductor magnus has two distinct insertions: the adductor portion inserts on the linea aspera and medial supracondylar line, while the hamstring (ischiocondylar) portion has a separate rounded tendon inserting on the adductor tubercle at the medial femoral epicondyle. The gap between the two insertions is the adductor hiatus, through which the femoral vessels pass from the adductor canal to become the popliteal vessels. The hamstring portion functions as a hip extensor and its tendon is palpable at the adductor tubercle, and injuries there produce medial knee pain that is easily confused with MCL or medial meniscal pathology.
| Muscle | |
|---|---|
| Attachment | Adductor tubercle on the medial femoral epicondyle. The hamstring portion inserts here separately from the main adductor insertion on the linea aspera |
Hip extension force transmission (hamstring portion); knee adductor force at the medial epicondyle
Adductor magnus tendon injuries at the adductor tubercle produce medial knee pain that is reproduced by resisted hip adduction and hip extension rather than by valgus stress (which provokes MCL) or joint line palpation (which provokes meniscal pathology). MRI distinguishes the tendon injury location from medial knee ligamentous and meniscal pathology.
Hamstring portion tear at the adductor tubercle producing posteromedial knee pain confirmed by MRI and managed with progressive loading rehabilitation.
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