What’s up with Supraspinatus?

What’s up with Supraspinatus?

I always think supraspinatus epitomises what is wrong with physiotherapy.

Well what is the connection between Supraspinatus and physiotherapy? Well let me start with the story of supraspinatus. As we all know it is small muscle which is oriented horizontally and present around the top of the shoulder joint. 

The problem starts when we ask the question what is its action. Invariably the answer is initiator of abduction or works up to 15 degrees of abduction you stupid is the answer. It is how the anatomist taught me when i went to college (long time ago) and it is what is taught now also. The anatomy book we refer still says this as the answer (and they will not reply me for all the mails I have written regarding it).

Well what is wrong with the answer- well from the 60s people started identifying supraspinatus as abductor rather than a specialised initiator. In his classic book “muscle alive” Basmajian wrote in the 80s how we are repeatedly mistaking supraspinatus as an initiator rather than as a synergist in abduction. Other anatomy books have followed suit including text books like “wheelers text book of ortho”, biomechanics books etc.

However, I am not sure why PTs, the people who are concerned with movement seem to make this wrong assumption after all these years. Even experts! in sport and manual therapy are making this error.

It begs the question-does supraspinatus a symbol of our antiquated knowledge?

Homer Simpson: Lord help me, I’m just not that bright.”