Which task is likely to be most limiting for a person with a supraspinatus injury?

A supraspinatus injury primarily affects the muscle responsible for initiating abduction of the arm. The supraspinatus, part of the rotator cuff group, plays a critical role in lifting the arm away from the body. When this muscle is injured, a person may experience significant difficulty with activities that require lifting the arm in the abduction movement.

Abduction involves moving the arm away from the side of the body, and since the supraspinatus is specifically tasked with this action, an injury to it means that the coordination and strength needed for abduction are compromised. This can lead to weakness, pain, or a limited range of motion when attempting to raise the arm.

On the other hand, tasks involving extension, flexion, or horizontal adduction may still be performed with relative ease, as they engage other muscles that do not rely heavily on the supraspinatus. As such, abduction would be the most limiting task for a person suffering from a supraspinatus injury, significantly impacting their ability to perform everyday activities that require raising the arm.