What is the normal range of motion for shoulder lateral rotation?

What is the normal range of motion for shoulder lateral rotation?

• A. 0-90°
• B. 0-70°
• C. 0-120°
• D. 0-30°

Answer: (A)

External rotation of the shoulder, or lateral rotation, typically reaches up to about 90 degrees from a neutral position. This is the normal endpoint when the measure is taken with the arm positioned so the elbow is flexed around 90 degrees and the arm is near the body (a common testing position). Knowing this helps distinguish normal mobility from limited range, which could indicate stiffness or pathology. While some measurement methods or positions (such as keeping the arm at the side) might yield a smaller value like 70 degrees, the widely used normative value for full external rotation is about 0 to 90 degrees.

External rotation of the shoulder, or lateral rotation, typically reaches up to about 90 degrees from a neutral position. This is the normal endpoint when the measure is taken with the arm positioned so the elbow is flexed around 90 degrees and the arm is near the body (a common testing position). Knowing this helps distinguish normal mobility from limited range, which could indicate stiffness or pathology. While some measurement methods or positions (such as keeping the arm at the side) might yield a smaller value like 70 degrees, the widely used normative value for full external rotation is about 0 to 90 degrees.