Special Tests

Question 1

• pt in supine with arm in 90˚ abduction

- ER shoulder

Answer 1

Apprehension test for anterior shoulder dislocation

Question 2

• supine
• arm at 90˚flexion + IR
• posterior force through long axis of humerus

Answer 2

Apprehension test for posterior shoulder dislocation

Question 3

• Arm in 20-30˚abduction

- Arm pulled inferiorly

Answer 3

Sulcus sign

(+) test if depression seen between acromion and numeral head

Question 4

• clasp both hands behind head with fingers interlocked

- pt told to contract/relax biceps muscles

Answer 4

Ludington’s test

(+) if no movement observed in biceps tendon

Question 5

• elbow extended with forearm supinated out front

- one hand over bicipital groove, other hand on volar surface of arm

Answer 5

Speed’s test

(+) test indicated by pain or tenderness in bicipital groove region

Question 6

• seated with 90˚elbow flexion, forearm pronated
• one hand over bicipital groove, other hand on forearm
• pt instructed to actively supinate and ER against therapist resistance

Answer 6

Yergason’s test

(+) if pain or tenderness to bicipital groove
May be indicative of bicipital tendinitis

Question 7

• arm at 90˚abduction

- asked to slowly lower the arm to their side

Answer 7

Drop arm test

(+) if unable to slowly lower to their side OR by presence of severe pain

Question 8

A (+) Ludington’s test may be indicative of:

Answer 8

Rupture of LHB

Question 9

(+) Speed’s test indicates

Answer 9

Possible bicipital tendinitis

Question 10

(+) Yergason’s test is indicative of

Answer 10

Possible bicipital tendonitis

Question 11

(+) Drop arm test is indicative of

Answer 11

Possible RC tear

Question 12

(+) Hawkin’s Kennedy test is indicative of

Answer 12

Shoulder impingement involving supraspinatus tendon

Question 13

• elbow flexed to 90˚, shoulder in 45˚ IR

- pt resists as therapist applies medially directed force to forearm

Answer 13

Infraspinatus test

(+) if pain or weakness

Question 14

(+) infraspinatus test is indicative of

Answer 14

Infraspinatus strain/tear

Question 15

• pt positioned in 20˚scaption and max ER

- asked to hold position

Answer 15

Lateral rotation lag sign

Question 16

(+) lateral rotation lag sign is indicative of

Answer 16

Infraspinatus and/or supraspinatus pathology

Question 17

• dorsum of hand behind back

- pt asked to move hand away from their back

Answer 17

Lift off sign (medial rotation lag sign)

Question 18

A (+) liftoff sign is indicative of

Answer 18

Subscapularis lesion

Question 19

Pt’s arm elevated through flexion in seated

Answer 19

Neer impingement test

Question 20

(+) Neer impingement test is indicative of

Answer 20

Shoulder impingement involving supraspinatus tendon

Question 21

• pt supine
• passively moves through flexion
• laterally rotates and adducts arm until close to head

(+) test with facial grimace

Answer 21

supine impingement test

Question 22

(+) supine impingement test is is indicative of

Answer 22

Supraspinatus impingement

Question 23

• pt placed in 90˚ abduction + 30˚ horizontal adduction with thumb down
• (+) test indicated by weakness or pain

Answer 23

Supraspinatus test

Question 24

A (+) supraspinatus test is indicative of

Answer 24

• Supraspinatus tear or impingement

- suprascapular nerve involvement

Question 25

• pt sitting
• therapist monitors radial pulse while having them rotate their head toward shoulder and extending the neck
  (+) test indicated by an absent or diminished radial pulse

Answer 25

Adson maneuver

Question 26

(+) Adson maneuver may be indicative of

Answer 26

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Question 27

• pt seated with 90˚ abduction, ER, elbow flexion
• rotate away from arm
• monitor radial pulse
  (+) test is absent or diminished radial pulse

Answer 27

Allen test

Question 28

(+) Allen test may be indicative of

Answer 28

Thoracic outlet syndrome