What Is Abductor Hallucis Pain and What Causes It?
The abductor hallucis muscle is located on the inner border of the foot. This muscle bends the big toe and moves it out to the side. More importantly, it supports the medial longitudinal arch, located on the inside border of the foot. The abductor hallucis is a common area for people to experience foot pain. However, it is often mistaken for other conditions, such as plantar fasciitis.
This article discusses abductor hallucis pain—what causes it, how it is diagnosed, treatment options, and what to expect during recovery.
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What Causes Abductor Hallucis Pain?
Abductor hallucis pain has various potential causes and risk factors.
Causes
Overuse injuries are a common cause of abductor hallucis pain. People with active jobs, such as food servers and healthcare workers, spend a lot of time on their feet, which can put a lot of pressure on this muscle.
Other examples include:
A sudden increase in physical activity: Beginning a new exercise or sport or increasing the intensity of your activity—such as running longer distances—can strain the abductor hallucis muscle.
Trauma or injury to the foot: Direct trauma to the inside of the foot, such as falling or stepping on a sharp object, can injure the abductor hallucis.
Risk Factors
Certain risk factors can increase your chances of developing abductor hallucis pain, including:
Having flat feet: Low arches provide less support for the bones in the feet, which can require the muscles to work harder.
Wearing unsupportive footwear: Shoes with poor arch support increase strain on foot muscles.
Being in an active profession: Professions that require a lot of stair climbing, such as firefighting, can increase your risk for abductor hallucis pain.
Gaining significant weight: Excess weight can place increased stress on the feet.
Other Symptoms of Abductor Hallucis Pain
People with abductor hallucis pain may also experience the following symptoms alongside the pain:
Swelling or bruising (from traumatic injuries)
Tenderness to the touch
Tight "bands" that you can feel when you touch the muscle
Tingling or numbness (tightness in this muscle can compress nerves in the foot)
How Is Abductor Hallucis Pain Diagnosed?
The first step in diagnosing abductor hallucis pain is a physical examination by a healthcare provider, which typically includes:
A review of your symptoms, including what makes them better or worse
A visual inspection of the foot (including the arch) at rest and in a standing position
Palpation (touching with the fingertips) of bones and tendons in the foot to determine the exact location of pain
A range of motion assessment (movement of the foot and ankle)
A healthcare provider may order imaging tests, such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to rule out other causes of pain, such as a broken bone or torn ligament.
How to Find Relief Immediately
There are several non-surgical treatments that can be helpful for decreasing abductor hallucis pain.
Home Remedies
Abductor hallucis pain can be treated immediately with home remedies, using the RICE method, which is:
Rest: Avoid activities that increase pain. You might need to use crutches for a few days if you have too much pain when you step on your foot.
Ice: Apply ice to your foot for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, several times daily. Place a cloth between the ice pack and your skin to avoid ice burn.
Compression: Wrap your foot with an elastic bandage to help support the injured tissues and reduce swelling.
Elevation: Elevate the foot above the level of your heart to allow gravity to help decrease swelling.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil and Motrin (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen), can help decrease inflammation and pain with conditions that affect the abductor hallucis muscle.
You can also use Tylenol (acetaminophen) to help decrease pain.
Physical Therapy and Stretching Exercises
Physical therapy can be beneficial for many conditions that cause abductor hallucis pain. Physical therapists use a variety of treatment interventions, such as:
Electrical stimulation
Heat/cold
Massage
Ultrasound
Strengthening exercises
Stretching
If you have abductor hallucis pain, you could try doing some stretching exercises at home. Stretch the bottom of your foot to target the abductor hallucis in this way:
Stand up straight with your feet hip-width apart.
Step back with the injured foot, resting the bottom of your toes on the ground and your heel off the ground—you should feel a stretch along the bottom of your foot and through your arch.
Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds.
Repeat several times daily while symptoms last.
Depending on the underlying cause of your abductor hallucis pain, a physical therapist might also recommend taping your arch with kinesiology tape.
Orthotics
Foot orthotics are shoe inserts that help support your arch and other parts of your feet. Orthotics might help reduce abductor hallucis pain. However, it's important to get the right kind of orthotics for your foot shape.
Orthotics that are too firm can potentially increase abductor hallucis pain. Consult a healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist or podiatrist (medical doctor specializing in conditions of the feet) for recommendations based on your foot shape.
Professional Treatment Options for Abductor Hallucis Pain
If your abductor hallucis pain doesn't improve with home remedies, you may require medical treatment, which can include the following:
Shockwave treatment: Shockwave treatment is a noninvasive treatment that can be beneficial for treating painful foot conditions.
Surgery: Some conditions that cause abductor hallucis pain might require surgery, particularly if the muscle is compressing a nerve.
How to Prevent Abductor Hallucis Pain
Foot pain isn't always preventable, but there are things you can do to help decrease your risk of developing a painful condition.
Examples include:
Choose shoes that fit correctly: Allow one-half inch of space between the end of your toes and the edge of the shoe.
Wear shoes with arch support (or use orthotic inserts): Talk to a healthcare provider for recommendations on over-the-counter arch supports in your shoes, or visit a store that offers personal recommendations for shoes based on your foot shape.
Maintain a healthy body weight to reduce pressure on your feet: Consult with a healthcare provider to determine a healthy weight range based on your body type.
Improve your balance: Do this by practicing to stand on one foot.
Keep your feet strong: Practice standing on one foot to help strengthen the muscles in your feet.
Take breaks: Alternate between standing and sitting tasks throughout the day.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From Abductor Hallucis Pain?
Healing times for abductor hallucis pain depend on the severity of the underlying condition. Mild muscle injuries might heal within a few weeks, while more significant injuries might require several months.
Can Abductor Hallucis Pain Lead to Other Foot Problems?
If left untreated, abductor hallucis pain can alter the way you walk and put excess strain on the abductor hallucis muscle.
This can potentially lead to other foot problems, such as:
Plantar fasciitis: This condition is caused by inflammation of the fascia (connective tissue) that runs along the bottom of the foot. It causes heel pain that is typically worse first thing in the morning.
Tibial posterior tendonitis: The tibial posterior tendon runs behind the bone inside the ankle and underneath the arch. Inflammation of this tendon can strain other muscles that support the arch, such as the abductor hallucis.
Bunion: The abductor hallucis pulls the big toe out to the side, away from the other toes. Weakness of this muscle can lead to a bunion—a bony bump at the base of the big toe that can develop over time when the big toe is pulled in toward the other toes.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If your foot pain isn't improving with home remedies or the pain continues to interfere with your ability to do daily tasks, see a healthcare provider.
In some cases, foot pain should be addressed immediately. Seek emergency care if you have the following symptoms:
A popping sound when an injury occurred
A visible deformity of the foot after injury
An open wound
Severe pain that does not improve after a few days of home remedies
Significant swelling, redness, warmth, or fever (potential signs of infection)
The inability to put weight on your foot
Summary
Abductor hallucis pain occurs along the inside border of the foot. Various conditions cause it. Sometimes, it's the result of overuse. Home remedies such as RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) can help reduce symptoms. Physical therapy is also beneficial. Less commonly, surgery is required to address abductor hallucis pain.
If left untreated, abductor hallucis pain can lead to other foot issues, such as tendonitis or plantar fasciitis. See a healthcare provider if you have abductor hallucis pain that doesn't improve after a few days of home remedies. If you can't bear weight on the foot or have a traumatic injury that could cause a broken bone, seek immediate medical attention.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
