Oppoens Pollicis Trigger Point

Opponens Pollicis Trigger Point

opponens pollicis trigger point

The trapezium and transverse carpal ligament are the origin of the opponens pollicis, and the insertion is the metacarpal bone of the thumb on its radial side. The recurrent branch of the median nerve innervates the opponens pollicis.

The trigger point, shown in the diagram below, causes referred pain in the forearm and in the hand. The primary symptoms are handwriting difficulties, thumb and radial hand pain, thumb pain and tingling numbness (Dysesthesia).

Your thumb is a very strong. Think about all of the stress and strain you place upon it whenever you open a jar, grab something heavy, or lift weights. The thumb is also an incredibly mobile joint.

The wrist and finger bones make a very unique joint for the thumb. The carpal bone, called the trapezium, and the first metatarsal form a unique joint that allow for an incredible range of motion. This range of emotion comes at a cost of a lack of structural support, which is why thumb injuries are fairly common. Especially anything that pulls the thumb backwards or causes a sudden twisting.

Many people who have occupations that require repetitive activities develop tendonitis across the thumb joint over years. They initially feel tightness, fatigue, and muscle achiness in their hands. This eventually becomes more of a dull ache as the weeks go by. Eventually people feel sharp stabbing pain with certain motions and movements.

Opponens pollicis trigger points are very common in these individuals. Often times people believe their thumb pain is the result of ligament damaged, carpal tunnel, or arthritic changes to the joints. When actuality the muscle is causing radiating pain down the thumb. Treatment for opponens pollicis trigger points is very effective with soft tissue techniques, especially manual therapy and massage therapy.

Conservative Treatments





Medical Treatments




Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis will also slow healing and recovery time. People with severe arthritis can have no pain in a joint. In fact many times people blame their arthritis pain on tendinosis or tendonitis of the tendons that attach around the joint. Conservative treatment can improve hand and wrist pain; and people will have dramatically less pain in joints that have arthritic changes.



