Muscles
Subscapularis
Largest rotator cuff muscle; powerful internal rotator and anterior glenohumeral stabilizer.
Overview
Largest rotator cuff muscle; powerful internal rotator and anterior glenohumeral stabilizer. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Anterior surface of the scapula, palpable from the axilla.
Referred pain pattern
Posterior shoulder, deep axilla, and a 'wristband' band of pain around the wrist.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Frozen shoulder, throwing sports, post-surgical immobilization.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Side-lying internal rotation, doorway ER stretches. Clinically: needling and axillary release.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction