Shoulder Injury Test

Question 1

Which test, if positive, will cause the patient to experience anterior shoulder pain when the arm is lifted, indicating a possible rotator cuff impingement.

Answer 1

Neer Test

Question 2

When conducting the Speed Test (as the examiner), what position are your hands?

Answer 2

Standing away from the patient, the arm adjacent to the patient is placed on the patient’s shoulder, palm down. The other hand is placed on the patients wrist (which is supinated), palm down.

Question 3

How is the Speed Test performed?

Answer 3

The patient’s arm is forward flexed to 90* and then the patient is asked to resist an eccentric movement into extension with the arm supinated.

Question 4

What is a positive indication of the Speed test? What injury is a positive test suggestive of?

Answer 4

A positive test elicits increased tenderness in the bicipital groove, especially with the arm supinated. This is an indication of bicipital tendonitis.

Question 5

When conducting the Drop Arm Test (as the examiner), what position are your hands?

Answer 5

While standing behind the patient, the hand closest to the patient is placed on the shoulder/neck. The hand farthest away is supinated, fingers to the inside of the arm (thumb towards examiner). Examiner lifts arm upward.

Question 6

What is a positive indication of the Drop Arm Test? What injury is a positive test suggestive of?

Answer 6

The test is positive if the patient is unable to lower his/her arm in a smooth, controlled fashion. This is an indication of a rotator cuff injury.

Question 7

When conducting the Neer test (as the examiner), what position is the hand that is not securing the patient’s shoulder at the acromion?

Answer 7

Palm up (supination) behind the patients wrist to elevate (assist) the patient’s arm upward from 90* to 180*.

Question 8

What is a positive indication of the Jobe test? What injury is a positive test suggestive of?

Answer 8

The Jobe Test is positive if these movements elicit pain or weakness and suggests possible tendinopathy or tear of the supraspinatus.

Question 9

What is a positive indication of the Neer Test? What injury is a positive test suggestive of?

Answer 9

The patient will experience anterior shoulder pain when the arm is lifted. This is an indication of a rotator cuff impingement.

Question 10

How is the Drop Test performed?

Answer 10

The examiner grasps the patient’s wrist and passively abducts (lifts) the patient’s shoulder to 90* Examiner releases patient’s arm with instructions to slowly lower the arm.

Question 11

Which shoulder examination assesses the patient for Bicipital Tendonitis?

Answer 11

Speed Test

Question 12

Which test, if positive, the patient is unable to lower his/her arm in a smooth, controlled fashion, indicating a possible rotator cuff injury?

Answer 12

Drop Arm Test

Question 13

What does the Jobe Test assess for?

Answer 13

Function and strength of the Supraspinatus

Question 14

Which shoulder examination assesses the patient for rotator cuff injury (not impingement)?

Answer 14

Drop Arm Test

Question 15

Which shoulder examination assesses the patient for function and strength of the Supraspinatus?

Answer 15

Jobe Test

Question 16

How is the Neer Test performed?

Answer 16

The examiner stands behind the patient and stabilizes the scapula with one hand on the acromion. With the other hand, the examiner elevates (assisted lift) the patient’s arm in the plane of the scapula (90* - 180*).

Question 17

Which test, if positive, elicits increased tenderness in the bicipital groove, especially when the arm is supinated, indicating a possible bicipital tendonitis?

Answer 17

Speed Test

Question 18

Which shoulder examination assesses the patient for rotator cuff impingement?

Answer 18

Neer Test

Question 19

Which test is positive if assessment elicits pain or weakness, suggesting possible tendinopathy or tear of the supraspinatus?

Answer 19

Jobe Test

Question 20

How is the Jobe Test performed?

Answer 20

Examiner passively abducts (raise) the arms to 90* and flex the forearms to 30* degrees (moving away from midline) and point thumbs straight down (palms outward). In this position, provide resistance as the patient lifts UPWARD.

Question 21

When conducting the Jobe Test (as the examiner), what position are your hands?

Answer 21

On the inside of the patients arms, at the wrist (thumb inside, fingers outside).