Shoulder - normal range of motion

flexion 160-180 degrees

extension 50-60 degrees

abduction 170-180 degrees

medial rotation 70-90 degrees

lateral rotation 80-100 degrees

Common Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder Examination

5 . palpation lines

6.1 . AROM +

6.2 PROM (Scapula stabilised => gleno exam )

6.3. special tests

1. scapula diskinesis

2. ac joint / biceps tendon

3. slap tear (kuhns)

4. impingement

5. instability

Shoulder Muscle Tests and Stretches and Strengthening

- levator scapulae (elevates scapula)

stretch - in sitting hold chair with one hand and laterally rotate neck and pull neck into flexion with free hand on back of head

test - in sitting

strengthen - shrugs

- rhomboids (retracts scapula)

stretch - doorway stretch

test - hand behind back in prone

strengthen - kneeling dumbells

serratus anterior (protracts scapula)

adducts and medially rotates (pecs , (lats cum teres major), )

medially rotates ( subscapularis )

laterally rotates ( infraspinatus cum teres minor)

abducts ( supraspinatus )

abducts, laterally, medially, flex, extend (deltoid)

abducts ( supraspinatus)

Shoulder Case Studies

The following shoulder case studies are available online as downloadable word files. Their presentation follows the same pattern as all of the musculoskeletal cases studies in this portfolio.

Shoulder Case Study 1 - Shoulder Impingement and a possible rotator cuff tear.

Shoulder Case Study 2 - Frozen shoulder following a proximal humeral fracture.

Superficial Shoulder Anatomy

These pictures provide a superficial view of some of the key features of shoulder anatomy. There is significant layering of the muscles around the shoulder - some lying deeper than the superfical layer. In the above diagram labelled "shoulder superficial posterior" the supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres muscles all lie deeper than the deltoid, trapezius and latissimus dorsi. These deeper muscles are shown in orange in the diagram.

Shoulder movements and the muscles involved in them are discussed in the active movement video.

Shoulder Anatomy - Skeletal & Muscular

The prominent bony parts of the shoulder.
The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint.
The acromionclavicular joint is a plane synovial
joint. The sternoclavicular is a saddle type of
synovial joint.

To view an downloadable excel database of the muscles of the shoulder joint - click here