Shoulder evaluation

Question 1

Empty can test

Answer 1

• flex shoulders (bring them up) and abduct about 45 degrees. doc pushes down on forearms while patient resists
• • if pain or weakness
• indicates rotator cuff pathology (supraspinatus)

Question 2

Drop-arm test

Answer 2

Pt. abducts arm 90-180 and then slowly drops arm

• • if arm will drop or gentle tap on wrist will cause arm to drop
• indicates full thickness tear of supraspinatus

Question 3

Apprehension test

Answer 3

should abducted to 90 degrees and elbow flexed to 90. Stabilize should with one hand and force arm into external rotation with the other hand

• • if pt. apprehensive of repeat dislocation.
• indicates glenohumeral instability

Question 4

Sulcus sign

Answer 4

grab their elbow and pull down on it

• +if indentation appears in are beneath the acromion
• indicates glemohumeral instability

Question 5

Yergason test

Answer 5

pt. ‘s arm at side w/ elbow flexed at 90. Doc uses one hand to paplate bicipital groove and monitors there, while the other hand grasps the patient’s wrist. Have pt. supinate and externally rotate against doctor’s resistance
- + if pain of tendon subluxation out of groove
- indicates unstable bicipital tendon/subluxation, bicipital tendonitis

Question 6

Speed’s test

Answer 6

pt. arm is flexed 90 degrees with supinated hand. Doc resists further flexion (cephalad motion)
- + if pain in bicipital groove
- indicates bicipital tendonitis of longhead biceps

Question 7

Neer impingement

Answer 7

forearm pronated, flex the pt’s arm passively

• • if pain
• indicates subacromial bursa or rotator cuff impingement

Question 8

Hawkins test

Answer 8

flex shoulder to 90, flex elbow to 90, slightly adduct, and passively rotate the humerus into internal rotation. This opposes the rotator cuff against coracoacromial ligament and acromion
-+ if pain
=indicates rotator cuff or subacromial bursa impingement

Question 9

Apley scratch test

Answer 9

*JUST MAKE NOTE OF HOW FAR THEY CAN REACH
2 maneuvers:
-Upper: pt. abducts aRM placing palm of hand behind their neck with palm facing toward the body. Pt. should attempt to scratch the lowest possible vertebrae (coupled external rotation and abduction
-Lower: pt. places arm behind their back with palm facing outward and dorsum of hand resting on their midback (coupled internal rotation and adduction)

Question 10

Lift off test

Answer 10

place pt’s arm into internal rotation and adduction. Pt. extends arm into as doc resists

• • if weakness
• indicates subscapularis weakness