1. Dorsal Interossei

Origin: Adjacent sides of metatarsals number 1-5

Insertion: Medial side of the proximal phalanx of digit 2, lateral sides of digit 2-4 proximal phalanx

Action:

  • Abducts digit 2-4
  • Assists in metatarsophalangeal joint flexion

Innervation: Lateral plantar nerve (S2/3)

Interossei dorsales, left foot.
Figure 3.2 Dorsal interossei, by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Supine

Palpation: Palpate between the metatarsals

Technique: Needle directly between the metatarsals aiming for the sides of the metatarsals as a bony backdrop

Caution: Low – interdigital nerves are vulnerable between the metatarsals

Needling dorsal interossei between the metatarsals.
Figure 3.3 Needling dorsal interossei between the metatarsals, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 3.1 Needling of dorsal interossei, 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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