The supraspinatus muscle is the most commonly damaged rotator cuff muscle. Its origin is the supraspinatous fossa and its insertion which is the highest facet on the humerus is the greater tubercle of the humerus.
Supraspinatus Test
Test the Supraspinatus on your own by simply adducting the arms away from the body. An inability to do this simple motion indicates a complete tear in the supraspinatus muscle.
Move the arms into a slight horizontal abduction and 90 degrees of forward flexion where the arms are shoulder width apart. Apply resistance to upward force.
Another useful test is called the drop arm test. The arms are abducted out 90 degrees which is horizintally aligned with the shoulders. They are then lower slowly and with control. Pain can indicate supraspinatus damage.
The Triangle Pose in Yoga
This is a postures in yoga that uses the Supraspinatus.
Action
The supraspinatus is one of the first muscles to act in adducting the arm away from the body.
It is also a stabilizer in the shoulder joint in both anterior and posterior stability.
Supraspinatus outlet impingement
