Shoulder Tests

Question 1

Empty can test

Answer 1

testing supraspinatus muscle

seated - elevating UE to 30-45 with the thumb down = prevent extension

positive = reproduction of sx

Question 2

Full can test

Answer 2

testing supraspinatus

seated elevation UE to 30-45 with thumb point up -prevent elevation

positive = reproduction of sx

Question 3

Dropping sign

Answer 3

testing infraspinatus

shoulder on side w/ 45 of IR and 90 elbow flex to resist ER

positive = reproducion of sx

Question 4

Hornblower’s test

Answer 4

test teres minor muscle

sld in 90 abd and flex elbow and hand comes to mouth

positive = pain and/or cant keep UE in ER

Question 5

Rent sign

Answer 5

RC tears diagnosis

seated w/ UE in full ext w/ PT hands under elbow

stand behind pt w/ fingertips in anterior margin of acromion

take arm into IR/ER

Question 6

Gerber’s lift-off sign

Answer 6

testing subscap

positive = can’t lift off

hand in lumbar spine curve - resist IR

Question 7

Belly press (napoleon sign)

Answer 7

testing subscap muscle

positive = pain or no IR, can have UE elevation or wrist flexion

hand on belly and press hand to belly

Question 8

Bear hug test

Answer 8

test subscap muscle

positive = can’t keep hand on shoulder

palm of hand on opposite shoulder (elbow in front of body)

resist IR by trying to pull hand off the shoulder

Question 9

Hawkins/Kennedy test

Answer 9

test for impingement of supraspinatus

put shoulder in 90 flexion, slight horizontal add and max IR

positive = pain cuz of supraspinatus between greater tuberosity against coracoacromial arch

Question 10

Neer test

Answer 10

test for impingement
- supraspinatus or LHB

positive = pain

passively take UE to full flex and humerus to IR

Question 11

Sulcus sign

Answer 11

assessing for inferior instability or AC px

shoulder in neutral and elbow flexed to 90

palpate joint line while distracting inferiorly distracting humerus

Question 12

Apprehension test

Answer 12

assessing for anterior instability

positive = pain or fear of shoulder dislocation

supine - abduct shoulder to 90 and then start ER

Question 13

Jerk test

Answer 13

assessing posterior instability

positive= sudden jerk as head sublux posterior / 2nd jerk to normal

sitting w/ UE in IR and flexed to 90

graph elbow and load humerus proximal then moving into horizontal adduction

Question 14

Speed test

Answer 14

testing for bicep tendonitis

positive = pain and instability

shoulder elevated 75-90 - elbow extended and forearm supinated

resist elevation

Question 15

Bicep load test

Answer 15

assess labrum

positive = bicep tugs on labrum and pain

supine in 90-120 of abd and 90 elbow flex

load biceps by resisting elbow flex and supination

Question 16

Pain provocation test

Answer 16

assessing labrum

same position as bicep load test

going to max pronation

positive = bicep tug on labrum and create pain in superior labrum

Question 17

Crank test

Answer 17

assessing labrum

positive = pain or clicking

UE elevated to 160 and elbow flexed to 90

Administer compression into humerus while taking it into ER/IR

Question 18

Kim test

Answer 18

assessing labrum for posterior-inferior labrum

positive = pain or clicking

seated with UE to ~130 and elbow flexed to 90

apply compression force thru humerus

Question 19

O’brien’s test

Answer 19

assess for labrum or AC joint problem

positive = pain inside (labrum) / pain outside (AC)

UE in 90 elevation, 10 horizontal add and max IR

Question 20

Yergason’s test

Answer 20

Assess transverse humeral ligament

pos = pain w/ clicking or snapping

seated w/ shoulder in neutral, elbow flexed to 90 and forearm supinated

resist elbow flexion w/ supination

Question 21

AC shear test

Answer 21

assess for AC sprain

pos = pain or more movt w/ damage to AC ligaments

seated; UE at side

surround AC joint; squeezing the hands together compresses AC joint

Question 22

Coracoclavicular ligament test

Answer 22

assess CC ligament

positive = pain

sidelying on uninvolved side

put affected UE behind the back - palpating CC while stabilizing clavicle

conoid portion = pull inferior angle of scap away

trapezoid portion = medial border of scap away from ribs

Question 23

cross body adduction test

Answer 23

assess for AC

positive = pain at AC joint

shoulder flexed to 90
horizontally adduct UE

Question 24

Adson’s test

Answer 24

assess TOS @ scalane triangle

pos = low radial pulse w/ sx reproduced

move UE into abd, ext and ER then client rotates head towards involved side

deep breath and hold

Question 25

Wright hyperabduction test

Answer 25

assess for TOS @ coracoid/rib and under pec minor

pos= low radial pulse w/ sx reproduced

palpate radial then abduct UE to 180 in ER (thumb towards head)

deep breath and hold it

Question 26

Military brace test

costoclavicular test

Answer 26

assess for TOS @ rib 1 and clavicle

pos = low radial pulse or sx reproduced

palpate radial pulse

retract shoulders into extension and abduction

neck into hypertextension

Question 27

Allen’s test

Answer 27

assess for TOS @ pec minor

pos = low radial pulse w/ sx reproduced

shoulder in 90 abduction and 90 elbow flexion

turn head away

take a deep breath and hold

Question 28

Roos test

Elevated arm stress test (EAST)

Answer 28

Assess TOS - more broad

pos = sx and feeling heavy of UE

UE at 90 shoulder abduction, ER and elbow flexion

open and close hands constantly for 3 minutes