Adduction
Adduction is the movement of a body part toward the body’s midline. It is the opposite of abduction and occurs in several joints, including the shoulder, hip, fingers, and thumb. For example, lowering your arm back to your side after raising it or bringing your legs together are examples of adduction. Physiotherapists assess this movement to evaluate joint mobility, muscle function, and movement control during physical examinations.
Clinical Importance
Normal adduction contributes to posture, balance, and coordinated movement. Weakness, pain, or restricted movement may indicate muscle injuries, nerve dysfunction, joint disorders, or postoperative complications. Assessing adduction helps clinicians identify functional impairments, compare both sides of the body, and monitor recovery during rehabilitation.
Adduction in Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists evaluate adduction using range of motion measurements, manual muscle testing, and functional movement assessments. Depending on the condition, rehabilitation may include strengthening exercises, stretching, neuromuscular re-education, and balance training to restore normal movement and improve daily function.
Everyday Examples
You perform adduction during many daily activities, including:
- Lowering your arm after reaching overhead.
- Bringing your legs together while standing.
- Holding a book between your knees during an exercise.
- Bringing your fingers together after spreading them apart.
These movements support coordinated body mechanics during work, sports, and everyday activities.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Joint Movement |
| Direction | Toward the body’s midline |
| Common Joints | Shoulder, Hip, Fingers, Thumb |
| Plane of Movement | Frontal (Coronal) Plane |
| Axis of Movement | Anteroposterior (Sagittal) Axis |
| Common Assessment Tool | Goniometer |
Clinical Pearl
The hip adductor muscles play an important role in pelvic stability during walking and running. Weakness or tightness in these muscles can alter lower-limb biomechanics and contribute to groin pain or reduced athletic performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the opposite of adduction?
The opposite movement is abduction, which moves a body part away from the body’s midline.
Which joints commonly perform adduction?
The shoulder, hip, fingers, and thumb all perform adduction, although the movement varies depending on the anatomy of each joint.