What is the normal range for shoulder extension?

What is the normal range for shoulder extension?

• A. 0-60°
• B. 0-50°
• C. 0-180°
• D. 0-30°

Answer: (B)

Shoulder extension is the backward movement of the arm from the neutral position at your side. The normal range is typically about 50 degrees from neutral, though some people may reach up to around 60 degrees. This limit comes from the soft tissues and joint capsule at the back of the shoulder, as well as how the shoulder girdle coordinates movement (scapulothoracic rhythm) during extension. The other values represent either different motions or a broader range than is typical for pure shoulder extension—0-180° describes full flexion, and 0-30° would be a notably smaller range than what is usually observed in healthy individuals. So, 0-50° best reflects the normal shoulder extension range.

Shoulder extension is the backward movement of the arm from the neutral position at your side. The normal range is typically about 50 degrees from neutral, though some people may reach up to around 60 degrees. This limit comes from the soft tissues and joint capsule at the back of the shoulder, as well as how the shoulder girdle coordinates movement (scapulothoracic rhythm) during extension. The other values represent either different motions or a broader range than is typical for pure shoulder extension—0-180° describes full flexion, and 0-30° would be a notably smaller range than what is usually observed in healthy individuals. So, 0-50° best reflects the normal shoulder extension range.