Clinical Presentation of Pectoralis Minor or Posterior Capsule Tightness in a Patient Presenting with R Shoulder Pain
- Looking from above the R shoulder appears protracted when compared to the L shoulder
- It was originally thought that this represented pectoralis minor tightness on the R side (Kendall and McCreary, 1983)
- To differentiate between a tight posterior shoulder capsule and pectoralis minor tightness the therapist applies an anterior to posterolateral glide to the head of the humerus
- Since the pectoralis minor does not attach to the humerus a restriction in AP glide indicates tightness in the posterior shoulder capsule which in this patient was restricted on the R side
- To assess for pectoralis minor tightness an inferior and medial glide is applied to the superior border of ribs #3-5
