Orthopaedic Test - Shoulder

Question 1

How do we test for a sub scapularis tear?

Answer 1

Lift off test (chicken wing)

Question 2

How do we test for a deltoid strain?

Answer 2

Resist shoulder flexion, abduction and extension

Question 3

How do we test for anterior instability of the shoulder or a labral tear?

Answer 3

Apprehension test (laying down, arm at 90°, moving it backwards)
Relocation test (apply downward compression on humeral head and complete apprehension test again)

Question 4

How do we test for an infraspinatus injury?

Answer 4

Infraspinatus muscle test (patient sitting with arm by their side and internally rotated 45°c resist external rotation)

Question 5

How do we test for supraspinatus tendon pathology?

Answer 5

Hawkins-Kennedy test (arm hanging in front at 90° and internally rotate it)
Neer’s test (stabilise clavicle and spine of scapula, internally rotate arm and flex shoulder)
Empty Can test (arms in line with scapula plane and internally rotated, resist abduction)

Question 6

How do we test for acromioclavicular pathology?

Answer 6

AC crossover test (stabilise clavicle and scapula, patient actively brings arm in front and brings across body, then push)