Shoulder Medial Rotation

Over time this issue can lead to pain and a loss of function for the shoulder joint.  Excessive medial rotation of the humerus causes pain around the acromian process and the supraspinatus muscle.  If left unchecked it can eventually cause rotator cuff tears and adhesive capsulitis.

What we are dealing with here is a shortness and thickening of the shoulder's medial rotators, the pectoralis and the lats.  Also, the lateral rotators do a poor job of controlling the humerus.  The lats become very dominant in most sholder motions and the upward expansion of the rib cage is restricted.

In treating this problem Shirley Sahrmann advocates increassing strength and control of the serratus anterior and the lower traps.  In addition the pecs and lats may need to be lengthened with static stretching.  To accomplish this place the athlete in prone position with the are hanging off the side of the exam table or bench.  During lateral rotation only the humerus should move.  There should be no scapular motion.