What happens to this Infraspinatus

What happens to Infraspinatus ? For last week we have four patients having shoulder pain and four of them having the same symptoms. They complains pain over shoulder joint, restriction of shoulder movement. pain mainly over anterior aspect of the shoulder. Passive shoulder movements have no restrictions but actively they are unable to lift their shoulder, rotate their shoulder and these movements produces pain also. No tenderness over anterior region of the shoulder.

But on further examination severe tenderness over infraspinatus muscles is noted. Trigger points noted in all these patients. Treatment focused on infraspinatus includes Myotherapy, Trigger point therapy, stretching and active exercises for infraspinatus.

After one week  our treatment protocol gives us a dramatic improvement in their conditions. Three of them  have 90% decrease in frequency of pain and 100% improved ROM of shoulder. One patient required further treatment because his supraspinatus was also affected. But after 10 days he also got 90% result.

Infraspinatus :The Infraspinatus, one of the rotator cuff muscles, lies on the outside of the lower 2/3 of the shoulder blade.  It functions primarily to rotate your arm outwards and to pull your arm back.It is a external rotator of the glenohumeral joint and adductor of the arm.

The Infraspinatus and Teres minor rotate the head of the humerus outward (external rotation); they also assist in carrying the arm backward. Trigger Points in the Infraspinatus are commonly overlooked, due to the unique referral pattern.  Although this muscle is located on the back, the primary referral pain is to the front of the shoulder.  Pain can also be found along the outer portion of the shoulder, extending into the upper arm as well.

A common condition known as “Frozen Shoulder” causes weakness and stiffness in the shoulder.  This true condition is caused by adhesions and scar tissue in the joint.  Trigger Points in the Infraspinatus muscle can mimic the symptoms of “Frozen Shoulder.” 

So next time you sees a patient with shoulder pain or diagnosed as frozen shoulder rule out Infraspinatus trigger points.