The supraspinatous is a small but powerful muscle located in our back, along the top part of our shoulderblade, or scapula. It connects the scapula with the top of the humerus, the bone in our upper arm, and is essential in our ability to raise our arm (abduction).
Technically, it is one of the muscles of the rotator cuff, and is commonly affected in rotator cuff injuries.
A simple orthopedic test rules out an injury to this muscle. However, if the test is positive and involves a tear in the supraspinatous, treatment may require surgery.