Localizing motor entry points of adductor muscles of thigh for motor point procedures in the treatment of adductor spasticity

Abstract

Abstract Spasticity which is focal or segmental such as affecting a single muscle group or limb can be treated by chemical neurolysis or surgical denervation at the neurovascular hilus. This study determines the motor entry points (MEPs) of adductor muscles of the thigh in the adult Indian population and identifies precise anatomical landmarks for the successful performance motor point procedures for the relief of muscle spasticity. A total of 10 adult lower limbs were dissected, and nerve branches to adductor muscles were carefully exposed up to their MEP. The morphometry of adductor muscles, precise locations of proximal and distal MEPs, and ideal sites for motor point procedures were identified. The median number of MEPs in adductor longus was two. Most of them were located between 40% and 50% of the muscle length i.e., in the third-fifth of the total muscle length. Adductor magnus and gracilis had a median number of one and six MEPs respectively. The ideal site of motor point procedures is in the second-fifth of the muscle length for both. This preliminary study describes the location of MEPs and ideal sites of motor point procedures in the adductor muscle of the thigh. However, further cadaveric and electromyographic studies with larger samples are necessary to investigate precise locations of MEPs aiding in the treatment of spasticity.