Question
Can you explain the prone T, Y, and L exercises?
Answer
Prone Ts, Ys, and Ls are versions of a scapular stabilization exercises. Picture a patient lying prone and horizontally abducting their shoulder with their thumb pointed toward the ceiling so that when they are in the final position, or the midpoint position of the exercise, their body is in the shape of a T. In this position, they will attempt to squeeze their shoulder blades together. That would be the prone T exercise. In the Y exercise, instead of bringing their shoulders straight out to the side in horizontal abduction, it is more of a flexion horizontal abduction position. Their arm is about 45 degrees from horizontal. That would be a Y. When they finished that position, their body will be in the shape of a Y with their two arms extended. The L is a prone external rotation strengthening exercise where instead of performing in side-lying or with a cable, the client is in prone. There is an article in JOSPT in 2008 which is a case series by Tate. It has a good description of the home exercises that I use for the shoulder. It is good to use if you do not already have a shoulder handout.
Reference:
Tate AR, Mcclure PW, Young IA, Salvatori R, Michener LA. Comprehensive Impairment-Based Exercise and Manual Therapy Intervention for Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: A Case Series. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2008;40(8):474-493.
