Theinfraspinatusmuscle works alongside three otherrotator cuff musclesto stabilize and move the shoulder.
This triangular-shaped structure primarily externally rotates the arm.
This means it rotates the arm toward the outside of the body.
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Occasionally, repetitive movements or other disorders can cause pain in this muscle.
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What Does Infraspinatus Pain Feel Like?
Infraspinatus pain is typically located on the top or backside of the shoulder.
Range-of-motion limitations in your shoulder and weakness when trying to externally rotate your arm may also be present.
Some people note acrackling noise (called crepitus)when they move their arm in certain directions.
Infraspinatus Muscle Pain Causes
Many different conditions can lead to pain in your infraspinatus muscle.
Each one has its own unique presentation, which may helppoint you to the cause of your symptoms.
Some of the most common issues are listed below.
Tears may also occur gradually as a result of age-related degeneration in your tendon.
This, in turn, can lead to inflammation in the tendon,known as tendonitis.
Tendinopathy pain typically begins as a dull ache, though it may be worse when actively moving your arm.
Soreness while you sleep, particularly if you lie on the arm, may also be present.
Pain may make certain shoulder activities too uncomfortable to perform.
These sacs help reduce friction as your muscles activate throughout the day.
This condition is most common in athletes, like tennis players, pitchers, or swimmers.
It may also affect people who repeatedly rotate their arms , like painters or carpenters.
Infrequently, a cyst or tumor in the area may also cause the compression.
A pinched suprascapular nerve typically causes:
What Are Infraspinatus Pain Trigger Points?
Trigger pointsare localized areas in a muscle that are highly tender to the touch.
Many of the infraspinatus conditions discussed previously can indirectly cause trigger points to develop in the shoulder blade region.
Lean up against a wall so that the ball presses against the trigger point.
Maintain a comfortable amount of pressure for 30 to 60 seconds before relaxing.
Strength tests are also commonly performed to isolate the affected muscle.
Infraspinatus Pain Test
During the evaluation, a special test for the infraspinatus may be completed.
Rest or activity modification is often recommended.
Steroid Injections
If conservative measures fail to alleviate your pain, acorticosteroid injectionmay be recommended.
While this treatment can lead to immediate pain relief, the effects are not always permanent.
In addition, repeated steroid injections may weaken your tendon and lead to future rotator cuff tears.
Surgery
In rare cases, surgery may be needed to alleviate your infraspinatus pain.
In rare cases, a bursectomy may be performed to remove chronically irritated bursae in the shoulder.
While most people ultimately make a full recovery, progress can take time.
Mild strains or partial infraspinatus tears may take up to four weeks to improve.
In more severe cases, infraspinatus pain can persist for multiple months before it resolves.
Recovery from surgery can take even longer.
Summary
While infraspinatus pain can significantly affect your function, know that your symptoms are likely temporary.
Conservative interventions like rest, ice, NSAIDS, and physical therapy are usually effective in alleviating these symptoms.
In rarer cases, a steroid injection or even a surgical procedure may be needed.
Having your shoulder evaluated by a medical professional is an important first step in returning to normal activities.
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