Shoulder scaption is dependent on the behavior of the different partitions of the infraspinatus muscle

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate if the three partitions (superior, middle, and inferior partitions) of the infraspinatus muscle previously described in anatomical studies will present different behavior during scapular plane abduction (scaption) as described using shear-wave elastography, especially during initial range of motion. Methods Eight volunteers held their arm against gravity 15° intervals from 30° to 150° in scaption. Shear-wave elastography was implemented at each position to measure shear modulus at rest and during muscle contraction, as a surrogate for muscle stiffness, of each partition. Muscle activity was defined as the difference in stiffness values between the resting positions and those during muscle contraction (ΔE = stiffness at contraction—stiffness at rest). Results The activity value for the middle partition was 25.1 ± 10.8 kPa at 30° and increased up to 105° (52.2 ± 10.8 kPa), with a subsequent decrease at larger angle positions (p < .001). The superior partition showed a flatter and constant behavior with smaller activity values except at higher angles (p < .001). Peak activity values for the superior partition were observed at 135° (23.0 ± 12.0 kPa). Increase activity for inferior partition began at 60° and showed a peak at 135° (p < .001; 32.9 ± 13.8 kPa). Conclusion Stiffness measured using shear-wave elastography in each partition of the infraspinatus muscle demonstrated different behavior between these partitions during scaption. The middle partition generated force throughout scaption, while the superior and inferior partitions exerted force at end range.