Manual Muscle Testing: Shoulder External Rotation

Original Editor - Kakshya Rupakheti Top Contributors - Kakshya Rupakheti

Muscle Involved

Infraspinatus

Teres Minor

Patient Position

Grade 3 to 5: Prone position, head turn towards the test side, Shoulder abducted to 90° and folded towel placed under the distal arm and forearm hanging vertically from the edge of the bed.

Grade 2 and 1 : Prone position, head turn towards the test side, Patient at the edge of the bed so that the entire arm hangs freely from the edge of the bed. Arm is Placed in the neutral position (palm facing the table).

Therapist Position

Grade 3 to 5: Stand at the test side. For resistance place the hand on the dorsal side of the forearm just above the wrist and the other hand provides counterforce at the elbow.

Grade 2,1 and 0: Stand or sit on a low table on the test side. The therapist should stabilize the test arm at the shoulder.

To Test

Instruction to the patient should be given in the language they are comfortable with.

The Patient moves the arm in the available range of external rotation upward).

Complete available range of motion and hold maximum resistance for grade 5. Complete available range of motion and hold moderate to minimum resistance for grade 4. Complete available range of motion without resistance.For grade 2 Instruct the patient to rotate shoulder externally in the given position.

For grade 1 palpate the infraspinatus over the body of the scapula below the spine of scapula in the infraspinous fossa. Palpate the teres minor on the inferior margin of the axilla and along the axillary border of the scapula. Palpation contraction is present for grade 1 for either one or both muscles. and No palpable or visible contraction is occur for grade 0.