Special Test of the Shoulder

Question 1

What are all the Special test of the Shoulder?

Answer 1

AC shear, Frozen shoulder, Adson’s, Apleys Scratch, Costoclavicular syndrome, Drop arm, Eden’s, Middle trap AR, Rhomboid AR, Neer impingement, Painful Arc, Pec +- length, Adductor length, Speed’s, ULTT’s 1-4, Wright’s Hyperabduction, Travell’s variation.

Question 2

How is Frozen Shoulder / Adhesive Capsulitis test performed?

Answer 2

Client Seated, Stand behind client.
Palpate inferior angle of scap.
With one hand just proximal to the client’s elbow, slowly abduct the humerus, noting when the Scapula begins to move.
It should start to move around or greater than 90*.

Question 3

What does Adhesive Capsulitis test assess for?

Answer 3

Testing for restricted ROM at the shoulder resulting from Fibrosing and Adhesions of the Axillary fold of the inferior GH joint.

Question 4

What is a positive result for a Adhesive capsulitis Test?

Answer 4

If the clients Scapula begins to move before 90* of Abduction.
Along with a painful, leathery end feel before 90* of abduction.

Question 5

What is a positive result of Adson’s test?

Answer 5

A positive result is, Diminished Radial pulse or if the client’s symptoms represent themselves again.

Question 6

What does Adson’s test assess for?

Answer 6

Used to assess for TOS caused by anterior scalene tightness.

Question 7

What does Adson’s test assess for?

Answer 7

Used to assess for TOS caused by anterior scalene tightness.

Question 8

What is Apleys scratch used for?

Answer 8

Assesses for combined movements at the shoulder / Comparison test between each side.

Question 9

What does Costoclavicular Syndrome test assess for?

Answer 9

Assesses for TOS caused by compression of the neurovascular bundle between the Clavicle and the first rib.

Question 10

What is a positive result for Costoclavicular Syndrome Test?

Answer 10

Indicated by a decreased Radial pulse and or reoccurrence of client’s symptoms.

Question 11

What does “Drop arm” assess for?

Answer 11

Assesses for the integrity of the Rotator cuff, especially the Supraspinatus mm / Tendon.

Question 12

What is a positive result from a “Drop arm” test?

Answer 12

If the client is unable to return the arm smoothly to the side or if there is pain on the attempt.

Question 13

How is a “Drop arm” test performed?

Answer 13

Client seated,
Abduct arm to 90* and instruct ctx to hold arm in this position.
Get client to slowly bring arm through adduction back to the resting position.

Question 14

What does “Eden’s” test assess for?

Answer 14

Used to assess compression of the neurovascular bundle between the clavicle and first rib.

Question 15

How is “Eden’s” test performed?

Answer 15

Client standing with arms at side,
Stand behind client and monitor radial pulse,
Instruct client to bring shoulders as far as possible into retraction and depression as possible.

Question 16

What is a positive result for a “Eden’s” test?

Answer 16

Indicated by diminished radial pulse and or Client’s symptoms come back.

Question 17

How is Middle trap Strength performed?

Answer 17

Client prone,
With affected humerus in 90* abduction and Externally rotated.
Apply resistance to the humerus in an anterior direction.

Question 18

How is Rhomboid strength test performed?

Answer 18

Client prone,

With affected sides humerus in 90* abduction and have the humerus in Internal Rotation.

Question 19

What does “Neer Impingement” assess for?

Answer 19

Assesses for overuse injury to the Supraspinatus Tendon.

Question 20

What is a positive result of the “Neer Impingement” test?

Answer 20

Pain is a positive sign of a positive test.

Question 21

How is “Neer impingement” performed?

Answer 21

Client Seated,

Passively depress the client’s shoulder then flex the client’s humerus through its range.

Question 22

What is a positive result for “Painful Arc”?

Answer 22

Pain starting at 70* and ending around 130* indicates a positive result.

Question 23

What does “Painful Arc” assess for?

Answer 23

Used to assess for sub-acromial impingement of the supraspinatus tendon and subacromial bursa.

Question 24

What does ULTT 4 assess for?

Answer 24

Used to assess C8 - T1 nn roots and the Radial nn.

Question 25

What does ULTT 4 assess for?

Answer 25

Used to assess C8 - T1 nn roots and the Radial nn.

Question 26

How do you perform Wright’s Hyperabduction?

Answer 26

Client seated,
Passively fully abduct humerus to 180* and slightly ext.
monitor radial pulse as the arm is held in hyperabduction.

Question 27

What does Wright’s Hyperabduction assess for?

Answer 27

Assesses for TOS caused by Pec minor tightness.

Question 28

What is a positive result from Wright’s Hyperabduction?

Answer 28

A positive result is if the client has diminished radial pulse or reproduction of symptoms.

Question 29

What is Travell’s Variation used to assess for?

Answer 29

Used to assess the Middle Scalene mm as the causes of TOS.

Question 30

What is a positive result for Travell’s Variation?

Answer 30

If the Client’s Symptoms get reproduced or if there is a diminished Radial pulse.

Question 31

How is Travell’s variation performed?

Answer 31

Client seated,
Ext and slightly rot the client’s affected arm,
monitor radial pulse,
Instruct client to rot head away from affected side, Take a deep breath and hold it for at least 15-30 secs.

The 1st rib is elevated against the tight middle scalene.