Rotator Cuff Clinical Presentation.

Last updated Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Stiffness

Stiffness as limitation

Stiffness is most common in partial thickness cuff lesions, but may also be associated with full thickness cuff defects. (Jackson, 1976) Stiffness may be demonstrable as limitations of:

1. internal rotation with the arm in abduction (degrees from the neutral position) (see figure 1),
2. reach up the back (posterior segment reached with the thumb) (see figure 2),
3. cross-body adduction (centimeters from the ipsilateral antecubital fossa to the contralateral acromion or coracoid) (see figure 3),
4. flexion (degrees from the neutral position) (see figure 4), or
5. external rotation (degrees from the neutral position) (see figure 5).

How useful was this page or article? This article is rated out of 5 stars (46 ratings). Not useful at all Not very useful Useful Very useful Extremely useful