@physidoceducation: Comment CUFF for the FREE Supra vs Infra CHEAT sheet 🚩 A painful cuff test is not a tendon diagnosis. Empty can hurts? Cool. That does not automatically mean supraspinatus. Resisted external rotation hurts? Also cool. That does not automatically mean infraspinatus. That’s the trap. ⚠️ For supraspinatus vs infraspinatus, think: Which loading direction reproduces the patient’s familiar symptoms? 🔍 More supraspinatus-biased when symptoms show up with: → arm elevation → abduction or scaption → reaching overhead → lifting away from the body → painful arc-type tasks → empty can / full can loading Think: elevation + abduction/scaption load. More infraspinatus / posterior cuff-biased when symptoms show up with: → resisted external rotation → repeated ER loading → throwing or serving → swimming → posterior cuff fatigue → deceleration-type shoulder tasks Think: external rotation + posterior cuff load. But here’s the bit juniors need to hear: You are not using these tests to name the exact tendon with perfect certainty. You are using them to ask: What load direction is the shoulder sensitive to? 🧠 That’s what helps guide your reasoning, exercise selection and load progression. Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain is usually broader than one isolated tendon label. Load sensitivity, strength, irritability, function and patient goals all matter. Before you call it routine cuff tendinopathy, screen the ugly stuff: → trauma → marked weakness → lag signs → inability to actively elevate → progressive neuro signs → non-mechanical pain → systemic or sinister features Clinical rule: Supraspinatus bias = elevation / abduction / scaption load pattern. Infraspinatus bias = ER / posterior cuff / deceleration load pattern. Same cuff. Different loading direction. Save this for your next messy shoulder assessment 📌 Clinician-facing education only. Not diagnostic advice. Use with full assessment, referral pathways and senior support where appropriate. #physiotherapy #clinicalreasoning #clinical #osteopathy #physio #chiro

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Tuesday 30 June 2026 10:00:00 GMT