Shoulder Special Tests

Question 1

Impingement sign

Answer 1

Passive FF >90 (pain = +impingement)

Question 2

Impingement test

Answer 2

Passive FF >90 continues after subacromial injection (relief of pain = impingement syndrome)

Question 3

Hawkins test

Answer 3

Passive FF of 90 and IR (pain = +impingement)

Question 4

Jobe test

Answer 4

Resisted pronation/FF of 90 (pain = supraspinatus tear)

Question 5

Drop arm test

Answer 5

Maintaining FF in scapular plane (inability = supraspinatus tear)

Question 6

Hornblower sign

Answer 6

Resisted maximal ER/abduction of 90 (pain = infraspinatus, supraspinatus, or post-supraspinatus lesion)

Question 7

Rubber band sign

Answer 7

Resisted maximal ER/slight abduction (pain = infraspinatus lesion)

Question 8

Liftoff test

Answer 8

Arm in IR behind back (inability to elevate from back = subscap lesion)

Question 9

Modified liftoff test

Answer 9

Resisted arm held off back (inability to keep arm elevated from back = subscap lesion)

Question 10

Belly-push test

Answer 10

Elbow held anterior with abduction pressure (inability to hold elbow forward = subscap lesion)

Question 11

Apprehension test

Answer 11

Supine abduction in 90 and ER (apprehension = anterior instability)

Question 12

Relocation test

Answer 12

Apprehension with posterior force (relief of apprehension = instability)

Question 13

Load and shift test

Answer 13

Anterior/posterior force on humeral head (degree of translation reflects instability)

Question 14

Modified load and shift test

Answer 14

Supine load/shift with elbow bending (degree of translation reflects instability)

Question 15

Jerk test

Answer 15

Abduct arm to 90, adduct forward, apply posterior load and bring arm back (a “clunk” indicates posterior subluxation)

Question 16

Sulcus sign

Answer 16

Inferior force with arm at side (increased acromiohumeral interval reflects inferior laxity/instability)

Question 17

O’Brien’s (active compression) test

Answer 17

10 adduction, 90 FF, maximal pronation (pain with resistance = SLAP)

Question 18

Anterior slide test

Answer 18

Hand on hip, joint loading (pain with resistance = SLAP)

Question 19

Crank test

Answer 19

Abduction 90, humeral loading, rotation (pain = SLAP)

Question 20

Speed test

Answer 20

Resisted FF in scapular plane (pain = bicipital tendinitis)

Question 21

Yergason test

Answer 21

Resisted supination (pain = bicipital tendinitis)

Question 22

Bear hug test

Answer 22

Take affect arm and grab contralateral shoulder, examiner tries to pull pt’s hand from shoulder (inability = subscap lesion)