Special Tests Flashcards
- pt in supine with arm in 90˚ abduction
- ER shoulder
Apprehension test for anterior shoulder dislocation
- supine
- arm at 90˚flexion + IR
- posterior force through long axis of humerus
Apprehension test for posterior shoulder dislocation
- Arm in 20-30˚abduction
- Arm pulled inferiorly
Sulcus sign
(+) test if depression seen between acromion and numeral head
- clasp both hands behind head with fingers interlocked
- pt told to contract/relax biceps muscles
Ludington’s test
(+) if no movement observed in biceps tendon
- elbow extended with forearm supinated out front
- one hand over bicipital groove, other hand on volar surface of arm
Speed’s test
(+) test indicated by pain or tenderness in bicipital groove region
- 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
Yergason’s test
(+) if pain or tenderness to bicipital groove
May be indicative of bicipital tendinitis
- arm at 90˚abduction
- asked to slowly lower the arm to their side
Drop arm test
(+) if unable to slowly lower to their side OR by presence of severe pain
A (+) Ludington’s test may be indicative of:
Rupture of LHB
(+) Speed’s test indicates
Possible bicipital tendinitis
(+) Yergason’s test is indicative of
Possible bicipital tendonitis
(+) Drop arm test is indicative of
Possible RC tear
(+) Hawkin’s Kennedy test is indicative of
Shoulder impingement involving supraspinatus tendon
- elbow flexed to 90˚, shoulder in 45˚ IR
- pt resists as therapist applies medially directed force to forearm
Infraspinatus test
(+) if pain or weakness
(+) infraspinatus test is indicative of
Infraspinatus strain/tear
- pt positioned in 20˚scaption and max ER
- asked to hold position
Lateral rotation lag sign
(+) lateral rotation lag sign is indicative of
Infraspinatus and/or supraspinatus pathology
- dorsum of hand behind back
- pt asked to move hand away from their back
Lift off sign (medial rotation lag sign)
A (+) liftoff sign is indicative of
Subscapularis lesion
Pt’s arm elevated through flexion in seated
Neer impingement test
(+) Neer impingement test is indicative of
Shoulder impingement involving supraspinatus tendon
- pt supine
- passively moves through flexion
- laterally rotates and adducts arm until close to head
(+) test with facial grimace
supine impingement test
(+) supine impingement test is is indicative of
Supraspinatus impingement
- pt placed in 90˚ abduction + 30˚ horizontal adduction with thumb down
- (+) test indicated by weakness or pain
Supraspinatus test
A (+) supraspinatus test is indicative of
- Supraspinatus tear or impingement
- suprascapular nerve involvement
- 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
Adson maneuver
(+) Adson maneuver may be indicative of
Thoracic outlet syndrome
- pt seated with 90˚ abduction, ER, elbow flexion
- rotate away from arm
- monitor radial pulse
(+) test is absent or diminished radial pulse
Allen test
(+) Allen test may be indicative of
Thoracic outlet syndrome
