Standing or sitting
For women, a gown over the non-examined side with the examined area exposed or a halter top is recommended.
For men, removal of the shirt is requested.
Posterior or posteriolateral to the patient.
May I place my fingers on the top of your shoulder? (or point to the demonstrated area). Move your arm slightly in and out (or demonstrate).
a. With the patientís shoulder relaxed, place your fingers on the patientís greater tubercle of
the humerus. This area can be located by first palpating the flat acromion process and then
sliding the fingers laterally off this area and onto the supraspinatus muscle as it attaches to
the greater tubercle of the humerus. Ask the patient to gently oscillate the shoulder in and out
in a very small range of shoulder abduction and adduction. This allows palpation of the
supraspinatus tendon.
b. With the patient's shoulder relaxed, place your fingers on the patientís upper trapezius at the top of the shoulder. Position the patientís head by asking or by guidance from your hands to turn the patientís face away from the patientís palpated shoulder and bring the ipsilateral ear nearer the shoulder being palpated. Ask the patient to gently oscillate the shoulder in and out in a very small range of abduction and adduction. This allows palpation of the supraspinatus muscle in the range of motion where the deltoid would be less likely to be activated.
b. With the patient's shoulder relaxed, place your fingers on the patientís upper trapezius at the top of the shoulder. Position the patientís head by asking or by guidance from your hands to turn the patientís face away from the patientís palpated shoulder and bring the ipsilateral ear nearer the shoulder being palpated. Ask the patient to gently oscillate the shoulder in and out in a very small range of abduction and adduction. This allows palpation of the supraspinatus muscle in the range of motion where the deltoid would be less likely to be activated.
VH -supraspinatus.