Special Tests

Question 0

Sulcus sign

Answer 0

Tests for Glenohumeral instability
Patient is seated, grasp the elbow and appl downward traction
+ depression under acromion

Question 1

Apprehension test

Answer 1

Americana armlock movement but seated

Tests for shoulder instability- suspected shoulder dislocation/ subluxation

Question 2

Load and shift

Answer 2

Tests anterior shoulder instability
Grab shoulder front and back
Load- push humerus into glenoid fossa
Shift- push humerus anteriorly or posteriorly, note amount of translation

Question 3

Neer’s

Answer 3

Tests for shoulder impingement
Arm passive internal rotation, then passively flexed
+ pain at end ROM

Question 4

Hawkins Kennedy

Answer 4

Tests for shoulder impingement
Passively flexed to 90 then internally rotated
+ pain at end range/ with rotation

Question 5

Painful arc

Answer 5

Tests for shoulder impingement- supraspinatus, subacromial bursa
Actively raise arm into full abduction
Pain at 45-120, 170-180

Question 6

Empty can

Answer 6

Tests for integrity of supraspinatus muscle
Arms 90 of flexion, 30 of adduction. Arms internally rotated (thumbs pointed down). Apply slight downward pressure
+ pain and weakness

Question 7

Drop arm test

Answer 7

Detects tears in the rotator cuff tendon
Patient abducts arm to 90 and is instructed to slowly lower his arm
+ arm will drop, patient won’t be able to control the movement

Question 8

Lift off test

Answer 8

Tests integrity of subscapularis muscle
Arm is actively placed behind back, internal rotation
Asked to lift arm off back against resistance
+ weak, unable

Question 9

AC joint compression test

Answer 9

Apply pressure to distal end of clavicle

+ pain and laxity

Question 10

AC cross over test

Answer 10

Tests for AC sprain
Seated, arm is adducted across body
+ pain with movement, unable to perform

Question 11

FABER

Answer 11

Flexion, abduction, external rotation
Tests hip or SI joint pathology
Legs in tree pose

Question 12

Eversion test

Answer 12

Assess deltoid ligament stability

Stabilize tibia, evert calcaneous

Question 13

Inversion test

Answer 13

Assesses ATFL and CF ligaments
Stabilize lower leg and push talus and calcaneous into inversion
Talus gaps in ankle mortise

Question 14

Anterior drawer test

Answer 14

ATF only structure preventing forward subluxation of talus

Push tibia and pull talus and calcaneous forward

Question 15

Thompson test

Answer 15

Integrity of Achilles’ tendon

Patient lies prone, squeeze muscle belly of gastroc. Should plantar flex foot

Question 16

Bump test

Answer 16

Used for suspected fracture

Bump bottom of foot