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Rotator Cuff or Rotator Cup?

Last updated on April 5, 2022 By Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT Leave a Comment


I often hear people refer to the muscles that encircle the shoulder at the “rotator cup.” This of course is a misnomer. The muscles that surround the shoulder are correctly referred to as the “rotator cuff.”

The definition of a “cuff” according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is as follows: “Something (such as a part of a sleeve or glove) encircling a wrist or other object.”

The word “cuff” aptly describes how the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis tendons come together and form a sheath like structure that encircles the head of the humerus. This “cuff” provides both stability and drives movement.

I have also had a few patients over the years tell me that they have strained the “performance muscle.” Same mistake, different story…

Filed Under: Physical Therapy Tagged With: Shoulder



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About Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT

Dan is a licensed Physical Therapist in the District of Columbia, license #PT2916. He has a Masters of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Dan specializes in sports medicine & upper extremity rehabilitation. He is a Certified Hand Therapist, certified by the American Society of Hand Therapists (initial certification date 11/6/2004, certification #1041100023). Dan has extensive continuing education in manual therapy from the Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
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