Special Tests

Question 1

Vertebral artery test

Answer 1

performed prior to any manual treatment of the C-spine and repeated at ROM increases

completed in sitting or supine; pt. fully extends and rotates the neck to one side and holds for at least 10 seconds

report any tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, throbbing, confusion or unusual sensation while the PT observes eyes for pupillary constriction or dilation

Question 2

Quadrant/Spurling’s test

Answer 2

determines if the c spine is contributing to UE symptoms

patient is positioned in cervical extension, rotation and ipsilateral side bending with overpressure

if the test reproduces the patient’s UE symptoms than the c spine requires further exam for cervical radiculopathy, cervical disc prolapse and neck pain

Question 3

Shoulder impingement tests:

Answer 3

Neer’s
Hawkins-kennedy
Painful arc

Question 4

Neer’s impingement test:

Answer 4

for shoulder impingement of soft tissue structures of the shoulder complex- long head of biceps and supraspinatus tendon

patient sitting; passively IR and then fully abducted

reproduces symptoms within shoulder region

Question 5

Special tests for rotator cuff dysfunction

Answer 5

supraspinatus: drop arm test

infraspinatus/teres minor: ER lag sign

subscapularis: IR lag sign, lift off test, belly press test

Question 6

shoulder instability tests:

Answer 6

sulcus sign
anterior apprehension
relocation
anterior drawer
jerk test for posterior instability

Question 7

AC joint tests:

Answer 7

horizontal adduction test
resisted horizontal extension test
O'Brien's sign
Paxinos sign
AC palpation

Question 8

GH labrum tests:

Answer 8

crank test
biceps load I and II
pain provocation 
compression rotation
O'rien's active compression
resisted supination ER

Question 9

special tests for cubital tunnel syndrome:

Answer 9

pressure provocation
flexion test
tinel’s sign