A standardized protocol for needle placement in the infraspinatus muscle: an anatomical perspective

This study aimed to evaluate the morphology of the three parts of the infraspinatus muscle based on surface landmarks for precise and effective access, and to propose the most effective fine-wire electrode insertion technique and sites.

Fifteen Asian fresh cadavers were used. We investigated the probability of the presence of the superior, middle, and inferior parts in each infraspinatus muscle based on surface landmarks. Based on the positional characteristics of the muscle, we determined the needle insertion method and confirmed its effectiveness by dissection.

The superior part was mostly observed near the spine of the scapula. The middle part was broadly observed within the infraspinous fossa. The inferior part showed variable location within the infraspinous fossa. The injection accuracy of the superior, middle, and inferior parts in the infraspinatus muscle was 95.8%, 100%, and 91.7%, respectively. Targeting the superior and middle parts for injection of the infraspinatus muscle is relatively more straightforward than targeting the inferior part. Targeting the inferior part of the infraspinatus muscle in this study was more challenging than targeting the superior and middle parts.

Needling for electromyography should be performed with special care to avoid unintended muscle parts, which could lead to inaccurate data acquisition and affect the conclusions about muscle function.