Trigger Point Release - Supinator Muscle | Elbow, Supinator, Tennis Elbow and more | Niel Asher Education Blogs and Articles blog

Supinator Trigger Points - Dr. Jonathan Kuttner

Trigger Points in the Supinator Muscles are Too Often Overlooked As The Muscle Lies Deep and "Concealed" - They are Often Associated with Elbow Pain.

The supinator is associated with deceleration of the elbow during extension. When the forearm is held between supination and pronation, the supinator will decelerate elbow extension.

The supinator is a lateral elbow pain generator. The muscle sneaks pain down into the web of the thumb on the dorsal side.

Changes in sensations include, but are not limited to, numbness and weakness in the hand (which may be due to compression of the deep branch of the radial nerve—the posterior interosseous nerve) and in the fingers.

Part of the deep group. The supinator is almost entirely concealed by the superficial muscles.

Supinator Trigger Points

Supinator - Common Trigger Point Site

ORIGIN

Lateral epicondyle of humerus. Radial collateral (lateral) ligament of elbow joint. Annular ligament of superior radioulnar joint. Supinator crest of ulna.

INSERTION

Dorsal and lateral surfaces of upper third of radius.

ACTION

Supinates forearm (for which it is probably the main prime mover, with biceps brachii being an auxiliary). Antagonists: pronator teres, pronator quadratus.

NERVE

Deep radial nerve, C5, 6, (7). BASIC FUNCTIONAL

MOVEMENT

Example: turning a door handle or screwdriver.

REFERRED PAIN PATTERNS

Localized 3–5 cm strong zone of pain at lateral epicondyle and at the web of the thumb (dorsum).

INDICATIONS

Tennis elbow, thumb joint pain, elbow pain (when carrying and at rest), pain turning doorknobs, localized pain on supination, chronic use of walking stick, pain on handshake.

CAUSES

Repetitive motions with straight arm (e.g. tennis, dog walking, carrying heavy case), repetitive motions (e.g. twisting, massaging, driving, ironing), trauma/strain, racquet sports.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Lateral epicondylitis (tendo-osseous, musculotendinous, intramuscular). Radial head dysfunction.

CONNECTIONS

Common extensors, biceps brachii, triceps brachii (insertion), anconeus, brachialis, palmaris longus, brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus.

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This trigger point therapy blog is intended to be used for information purposes only and is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or to substitute for a medical diagnosis and/or treatment rendered or prescribed by a physician or competent healthcare professional. This information is designed as educational material, but should not be taken as a recommendation for treatment of any particular person or patient. Always consult your physician if you think you need treatment or if you feel unwell.

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