2 3 Technical Tuesday Flexor Digitorum Longus | Ballet Webb

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Technical Tuesday Flexor Digitorum Longus

Technical Tuesday Flexor Digitorum Longus

Today’s tendon is a mouthful: flexor digitorum longus. Whew! It extends from the back surface of the tibia to the foot (see above), and passes down the plantar surface of the foot.

From there it divides into four parts and each one of these parts attach to one of the four smaller toes (all except the big toe). It assists in flexing these toes, plus plantar flexion*. (In other words, pointing the foot in dance - think tendues, pointe work, etc.)

This site: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/386171-overview states: “Injuries to the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon have classically been described in ballet dancers secondary to their constant repetitive plantar flexion. Hence, the injury is often called dancer's tendinitis.” Interesting to know that dancers are responsible for naming an injury!

*Definition of plantar flexion: movement at the ankle joint that points the foot downward away from the leg as well as movement of the toes downward toward the sole of the foot.



From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Dance History Factoid # 94
“The flexor digitorum longus helps flex and point the second, third, fourth, and fifth toes.”

Link of the Day:


Quote of the Day:
“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise” 
 
Oscar Wilde

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