Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Test

Question 1

What is the hawkins-kennedy test used to diagnose?

Answer 1

sub-acromial pain syndrome or ‘impingement’ of the shoulder
aid in the identification of
rotator cuff disease / pathology

Question 2

What’s the rationale behind this test?

Answer 2

Shoulder joint flexed & medially rotated - position increases the ‘impingement’ of the subacromial space by the clinician providing an
increased medial rotational force

This pushes the head of the humerus or the superior aspect of the glenoid up against the acromium & impinging the soft tissue
structures

Question 3

What does a positive response identify?

Answer 3

shoulder impingement

Question 4

Procedure of Hawkins-kennedy test

Answer 4

1) explain, IC
2) patient stood, arm & elbow flexed to 90 degrees
3) Therapist fixes patients shoulder and applies pressure to wrist, bringing their hand towards the floor, keeping the arm & elbow flexed to 90

Question 5

Positive result of hawkins-kennedy test

Answer 5

Anterolateral shoulder pain
intensifies when pressure is applied
suggests impingement

Question 6

negative result

Answer 6

no pain reproduction

Question 7

Test result: anterolateral shoulder pain that intensifies with pressure
What does this mean?

Answer 7

Shoulder impingement