What is the Supraspinatus Muscle?
This muscle runs along the top of the shoulder blade (scapula) and inserts at the top of the arm (humerus). It is one of 4 rotator cuff muscles. This muscle is used to lift the arm up sideways, and is important in many throwing sports, as it is this muscle that holds the arm in place when you release what you are throwing.
Slowing the arm down after you have thrown something requires massive forces. This muscle deals with those forces, but unfortunately many people fail to train it. A heavy fall onto the shoulder can also cause an injury to this muscle.
Symptoms of a ruptured Supraspinatus include sharp pain at the time of injury; Pain when the arm is rotated outwards and increased pain when the arm is raised over 60 degrees. This moveemnt will also feel weak.
Treatment
As with all muscle injuries the initial treatment is to rest and ice it, ideally with compression and elevation to reduce swelling. Seek medical attention. Your Doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications and may refer your for scans. Most cases do not require surgery as rehabilitation is sufficient. In complete ruptures, surgery may be performed if natural healing is unlikely.
Recommended Products
A shoulder cold wrap is ideal for treating this injury as it provides cold therapy and compression at once, in a clean and easy to use product. A shoulder support will provide warmth and an increased blood flow as well as support so they are good for use after the first couple of days when blood flow is not encouraged. Rehab bands are good for rehab exercises of the shoulder.
Please visit the Virtual Sports Injury Clinic for more information on Supraspinatus ruptures and other shoulder injuries.
