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External rotation of the shoulder joint

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

With the arm at the patient's side and the elbow flexes at right-angles, externally rotate the upper arm. The forearm acts as a pointer, indicating the degree of rotation which is possible.

Pain or restriction during this movement most commonly is due to:

  • adhesive capsulitis
  • infraspinatus tendinitis

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