1. Abductor Digiti Minimi

Origin: Medial and lateral tubercle of the calcaneal tuberosity

Insertion: Lateral side of the base of proximal phalanx of the fifth digit

Action: Abducts digit number 5

Innervation: Lateral plantar nerve (S2/3)

Abductor digiti minimi.
Figure 2.2 Abductor digiti minimi, adapted by Uwe Gille from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Prone

Palpation: Palpate the lateral aspect of the foot

Technique: Needle on the lateral aspect of the foot using the 5th metatarsal as a backdrop

Caution: Low

Needling of abductor digiti minimi.
Figure 2.3 Needling of abductor digiti minimi, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 2.1 Needling of abductor digiti minimi, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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