Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) flexes or points the big (or as the anatomy books say- great) toe as well as stabilizing the inside of the ankle joint.  Dancers rely on their toe flexors big time.  The cool thing about this muscle, is that the muscle belly is in the outer back area of the calf because it arises from the fibula- not where you would expect.  It works together with flexor hallucis brevis (its shorter friend) and can only point the big toe when FHB is stabilizing the first metatarsal.

If there are movement restrictions in the ankle, then this muscle can stop functioning properly.  We all know that “working” through the big toe is so important in ballet for balance, and this muscle does much work pushing off through the toe during dance and then going on to pointe the big toe.  Due to repetitive movement, tendinitis of FHL can develop and is called “dancer’s tendinitis”.

Symptoms of FHL tendinitis include pain in the inside back of the ankle with releve, tendu and frappes, as well there may be a lump on the tendon.

To regain function of this muscle, mobilization of the ankle, fibula and big toe can help.  Rolling out the muscle belly can be useful, but remember it is on the back and outside of the calf and not where you might expect it to be. Rehabilitation includes modified calf rises with the toes off the edge of a block.