MSK UE Special Tests Flashcards
Special Tests for Shoulder Dislocation (2)
- Apprehension Test, Anterior
- Apprehension Test, Posterior
Special Tests for Biceps Tendon Pathology (3)
- Ludington’s Test
- Speed’s Test
- Yergason’s Test
Special Tests for RTC Pathology/Impingement (4)
- Drop Arm Test
- Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Test
- Neer Imingement Test
- Supraspinatus Test
Special Tests for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (5)
- Adson maneuver
- Allen test
- Costoclavicular syndrome test
- Roos test
- Wright test (hyperabduction test)
Special Tests for Elbow Instability (2)
- Varus stress test
- Valgus stress test
Special Tests for Epicondylitis (4)
- Cozen’s test
- Lateral epicondylitis test
- Medial epicondylitis test
- Mill’s test
Special Tests for Wrist/Hand Instability
- Ulnar collateral ligament instability test
Special Tests for Vascular Insufficiency (2)
- Allen test
- Capillary refill test
Special Tests for Wrist/Hand Contracture/Tightness (2)
- Bunnel-Littler test
- Tight retinacular ligament test
Special Tests for Wrist/Hand Neurological Dysfunction (3)
- Froment’s sign
- Phalen’s test
- Tinel’s sign
Special Tests for C-Spine (2)
- Foraminal compression test
- Vertebral artery test
Apprehension Test for Anterior Shoulder Dislocation
Pt. supine, shoulder ABD 90, elbow 90
Rotate shoulder into ER
+ = look of apprehension or facial grimace prior to end range
Indicates: anterior shoulder dislocation
Apprehension Test for Posterior Shoulder Dislocation
Pt. supine, shoulder flex 90, elbow 90 (across chest)
Apply AP pressure through humeral shaft
+ = look of apprehension or facial grimace prior to end range
Indicates: posterior shoulder dislocation
Ludington’s Test
Pt. seated, hands interlocked behind their head
Ask pt. to contract and relax biceps
+ = absence of movement in the biceps tendon OR increased pain
Indicates: rupture of long head of biceps OR tendinitis of long head of biceps
Speed’s Test
Pt. seated, shoulder flexed 90, elbow straight, forearm supinated
Palpate at biciptal groove, ask pt. to resist shoulder flexion
+ = pain/tenderness in biciptal groove region
Indicates: biceps tendonitis
Yergason’s Test
Pt. seated with elbow flexed 90, forearm pronated, humerus against thorax
Palpate at biciptal groove, have pt. resist supination and ER
+ = pain/tenderness in biciptal groove
Indicates: bicep tendonitis
Drop Arm Test
Pt. seated with shoulder passively ABD to 90
Ask patient to hold arm in place OR slowly lower arm
+ = arm drops or fails to slowly lower
Indicates: RTC tear
Hawkins Kennedy Test
Pt. seated, shoulder passively flexed to 90, elbow bent, and shoulder IR
+ = pain
Indicates: supraspinatus impingement
Neer Test
Pt. seated, shoulder IR and passively flexed
+ = pain
Indicates: supraspinatus impingement
Supraspinatus (Empty Can) Test
Pt. seated shoulder ABD 90, horizontally ADD 30 and IR
Have pt. resist ABD
+ = weakness or pain
Indicates: tear of supraspinatus tendon, impingement, or suprascapular nerve involvement
Adson Maneuver
Pt. seated, located radial pulse
Ask pt. to rotate head toward testing side, then extend head while therapist ER and extends the shoulder
+ = absent or diminished radial pulse
Indicates: thoracic outlet syndrome
Allen Test
Pt. seated with shoulder ABD 90, ER, and elbow flexed
Pt. asked to rotate head away from test shoulder while therapist monitors readial pulse
+ = absent or diminished pulse
Indicates: thoracic outlet syndrome
Costoclavicular Syndrome Test
Pt. standing, located radial pulse.
Have pt. retract and depress shoulders, then move arm into 30 deg of extension and abduction, ask pt. to hyperextend neck
+ = absent or diminished pulse
Indicates: thoracic outlet syndrome caused by compression of subclavian artery between clavicle and 1st rib
Wright (Hyperabduction) Test
Pt. seated, shoulder ABD 90 and ER, elbow bent, located radial pulse
Move pt. shoulder into full ABD
+ = absent or diminished pulse
Indicates: thoracic outlet syndrome, compression of costoclavicular space