Daily Bolus of LR: Infraspinatus- Function and Testing
Leave a commentFebruary 14, 2011 by dailybolusoflr
Infraspinatus
· Connects from the medial border of the scapula, running under the scapular spine to the greater tuberosity of the humerus.
· Contraction allows the arm to rotate externally.
· The other rotator cuff muscle which assists in external rotation is the teres minor.
· The infraspinatus is the 2nd most commonly injured rotator cuff muscle.
Testing:
· Bend the elbows to 90 degrees
· Slightly abduct their shoulder, roughly 30 degrees, while keeping both elbows bent at 90 degrees
· Place your hands on the outside of their forearms.
· Have the patient push their arms outward (externally rotate) while you resist.
· Tears in the muscle will cause weakness and/or pain.
The following website has nice photos of all of the tests for the various rotator cuffs:
http://meded.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/joints2.htm
Linda Regan, MD FACEP
Program Director, Emergency Medicine Residency
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions