Shoulder Special Tests

Question 0

Yergason test

Answer 0

Forearm is flexed at 90 degrees. The wrist is pronated. Examiner puts one hand along the subjects forearm. Other hand in proximal portion of the humerus, near the bicipital groove. Resist the subjects ability to actively supinate wrist

Question 1

Empty Can (Supraspinatus)test

Answer 1

Both shoulders abducted to 90 degrees, horizontal adduction 30 degrees. Internally rotated shoulders( thumbs pointed down)
Examiner resists flexion of the arms

Question 2

Speeds test

Answer 2

Arm in anatomical position, supinated. The examiner resists the subjects ability to flex the arm,

Question 3

Ludingtons sign

Answer 3

Subject sits or stands while examiner stands directly behind subject. The subject interlock fingers and place them on superior/ posterior aspect of head.
Palmate the long head of the biceps bilaterally for contractions

Question 4

Drop arm test

Answer 4

Examiner passively abducts the subjects arm to 90 degrees and let them slowly adduct the arm to their side

Question 5

Appleys scratch test

Answer 5

Take one hand and touch the opposite shoulder

• flex arm and reach to the middle of the back
• abduct and internally rotate to scratch back

Question 6

Crossover impingement test

Answer 6

Subject sits
Examiner had one hand on the posterior aspect of shoulder to stabilize the trunk and the other holding the subjects elbow
Passive horizontal adduction

Question 7

Posterior impingement

Answer 7

Subject lays supine
Shoulder placed in 90-110 degrees of abduction an 10 degrees of extension
- examiner grasps wrist and other hand grasps the subjects elbow
- slowly rotate the shoulder into maximum external rotation

Question 8

Neers Impingement test

Answer 8

The subject sits or stands relaxed
- examiner had one hand on the scapula and the other grasping the elbow
Flex the arm passively while it is internally rotated

Question 9

Hawkins-Kennedy impingement test

Answer 9

The subject sits or stands. The arm is flexed 90 degrees at forearm and arm
-examiner grabs elbow with one hand and grabs the wrist with the other. Internally rotates the shoulder

Question 10

Sternoclavicular SC joint stress test

Answer 10

The subject is sitting and the examiner places one hand on the proximal clavicle and the other on the spine of the scapula . Gently place posterior and inferior pressure on clavicle looking for movement on the sternoclavicular joint

Question 11

Acromioclavicular Joint distraction test

Answer 11

The subject sits with arms at side.

• the examiner stands on involved side with one hand at the crease of the elbow and the other hand over the acromioclavicular joint.
• apply downward pressure on arm and feel for movement of the joint.

Question 12

Acromioclavicular AC joint compression test( shear)

Answer 12

Subject is sitting and relaxed

• examiner sits on involved side placing one hand on the clavicle and the other on the spine of the scapula
• squeeze hands together noting any movement at the joint.

Question 13

Piano Key Sign

Answer 13

Subject sits and involves limb relaxed

- apply pressure inferiorly on the distal clavicle

Question 14

Apprehension test (anterior)

Answer 14

The subject is supine and the arm is abducted 90 degrees and slowly externally rotated

Question 15

Apprehension test posterior

Answer 15

The subject is supine. The arm is flexed 90 degrees and horizontally adducted across the body.
The examiner places one hand under the shoulder to hold the scapula. The other is placed on the elbow and pushed in to see if the humerus subluxes

Question 16

Anterior drawer test

Answer 16

The subject is supine with the glenohumeral joint positioned at the edge of the table
- one hand is around the humerus below the surgical neck the other hand stabilizes the scapula and the thumb over coracoid process
Examiner passively abducts the joint 70-80 degrees forward flexes 0-10 degrees external rotation 0-10
- glides the head of humerus anteriorly while applying slight distraction to glenohumeral joint

Question 17

Posterior drawer test

Answer 17

Subject lies supine examiner holds shoulder at the elbow, passively abducts shoulder 90 degrees then horizontally flex shoulder 20-30 degrees. One hand at the elbow and the other stabilizing the scapula
- downward pressure pushing humeral head posteriorly

-

Question 18

Jobe relocation

Answer 18

The subject is supine and the arm is abducted to 90 degrees, next the forearm is flexed and the arm is externally rotated
- the examiner holds one hand in the wrist and the other putting pressure on the anterior shoulder as they continue to rotate the arm

Question 19

Surprise Test (Active Release Test)

Answer 19

Subject is supine with arm flexed and externally rotated with examiners hand placing pressure on the anterior shoulder. As you reach close to maximum external rotation reseas the pressure arm from the humeral head

Question 20

Sulcus sign

Answer 20

The subject sits with the forearms and hands resting on the lap.
- the examiner is grabbing the scapula with one hand for stabilization and the other is on the elbow where they apply inferior force with the distal hand

Question 21

Grind test

Answer 21

Subject lies supine on the table shoulder abducted to 90 degrees, elbow flexed to 90 degrees

• examiner grasp subjects elbow with one hand and the other grabs the proximal humerus.
• apply compression to the glenoid labrum while attempting 360 degrees around the surface of the glenoid fossa

Question 22

Clunk Test

Answer 22

The subject lies supine. Examiner places one hand on the posterior aspect of the humeral head and the other hand proximal to the subjects elbow.

• passively abducts and externally rotate the arm overhead and apply an anterior force to the humerus
• then circumduction the humeral head around the glenoid labrum

Question 23

Crank test

Answer 23

Subject standing or sitting, examiner placed distal hand in subjects elbow and the other on the proximal humerus then passively elevate the subjects shoulder 160 degrees in the scapular plane
-distal arm applies a load along the long axis of humerus and internally rotate the humerus

Question 24

O’Brien Test (Active compression)

Answer 24

90 degrees of forwards flexion 30-45 horizontal adduction and maximal internal rotation, the subject horizontally adducts and flexes the shoulder against the examiners resistance. Repeat the test while arms are externally rotated

Question 25

Brachial Plexus Stretch

Answer 25

The examiner stands behind the subject and places one hand on the side of the subjects head and the other in the shoulder. laterally flexes the subject head whip applying downward pressure on the shoulder

Question 26

Adson’s Maneuver

Answer 26

The subject sits or stands. The examiner takes a radial pulse. After finding the pulse extend the arm and externally rotate and subject extends and rotates neck toward tested arm

Question 27

Allen’s Test

Answer 27

The subject is standing . The examiner takes a radial pulse, after the pulse is found, the shoulder is abducted 90 degrees and elbow 90 degrees. External rotation. The subject neck is turned away from the examined arm

Question 28

Roos test

Answer 28

The subject is standing both shoulder abducted 90 and forearms flexed 90
-subject rapidly opens and closes hands for three minutes

Question 29

Pectoralis major contracture test

Answer 29

The subject is supine with both hands clasped together behind the head.
-examiner passively moves the subjects elbow toward. The subject should relax during movement.