Dropping sign is primarily used to assess tears of which rotator cuff muscle?

• A. Infraspinatus
• B. Subscapularis
• C. Teres Minor
• D. Supraspinatus

Answer: (D)

Dropping sign points to supraspinatus dysfunction. The supraspinatus is responsible for initiating first and controlling the arc of arm abduction as the deltoid takes over. When a tear is present, the tendon can’t resist the deltoid’s upward pull, so the arm cannot be held in abduction and will suddenly drop from about 90 degrees or from the initiation range. This makes the sign most characteristic of a supraspinatus tear.

If the issue were infraspinatus or teres minor, you’d expect weakness mainly in external rotation rather than a failure to hold an abducted arm. Subscapularis tears produce different findings, like problems with internal rotation or specific tests such as the lift-off or bear-hug.