Anatomy
Origin
medial two-thirds of the infraspinous fossa
Insertion
the middle of the greater tubercle of the humerus, the shoulder joint capsule
Action
external rotation of the arm
Clinical information
Symptoms
Patients may experience the inability in reaching into back pants pockets, fastening a bra behind the back, getting the arm into the coat sleeves, or zipping up the back of dresses. They cannot sleep on the affected side because it aggravates the pain. Pain appears in the shoulder and refers down the radial aspect of the arm to the palm and the dorsum of the hand.
Related muscle
Synergistic with teres minor, posterior deltoid for the external rotation of the arm; Synergistic with supraspinatus for stabilization of the shoulder joint.
Taping
Required Tape : 5cm, Y Tape
Patient position : Upright Sitting
How to Tape
With the patient’s arm laterally abducted, apply the base of the Y strip to the insertion of the muscle-posterior and superior to the scapula.
With the arm extended forward and raised slightly higher than the shoulder in order to fully stretch the muscle, tape the superior tail of the Y along the inferior aspect of spine of the scapula; tape the posterior tail along the lateral border of the scapula.