Special tests - Shoulder

Question 1

What is the Apley’s scratch test?

Answer 1

• The right arm is in lateral rotation, flexion and abduction
• The left arm is in medial rotation, extension and adduction
• B part of the diagram is reversed and the difference in medial rotation and scapular winging
• This method decreases the time taken as many movements are combined

Question 2

What is the Hawkins Kennedy test?

Answer 2

• This test assesses for the supraspinatus tendinopathy and for the potential involvement of the biceps brachii long head tendon

Question 3

What is a positive Hawkins Kennedy test?

Answer 3

• Positive = pain around LI15 – supraspinatus tendinopathy or pain in anterior shoulder may indicate involvement of biceps brachii long head tendon

Question 4

What is the neer’s impingement test?

Answer 4

• This test is designed to reduce the space between the inferior aspect of the acromial arch and the superior surface of the humeral head

Question 5

What is a positive neer’s impingement test?

Answer 5

• Positive = expression of pain esp at LI15 area and at the last 10-15 degrees = overuse injury to the supraspinatus muscle and sometimes to the biceps tendon

Question 6

What is the lift off sign?

Answer 6

• This test is used to assess the subscapularis tendinopathy or rupture

Question 7

What is the teres minor manual muscle strength test?

Answer 7

• This test assesses the strength and integrity of the teres minor muscle and tendon

Question 8

What is the Roos test for thoracic outlet syndrome?

Answer 8

• This test is used to assess the presence of TOS

Question 9

What is a positive roos test?

Answer 9

• A positive result indicates if this action reproduces their signs and symptoms (heaviness, pain, arm weakness, numbness and tingling into the hand)

Question 10

What is the Allen maneuver test?

Answer 10

• This test is used to assess the presence of TOS at all three sites of potential impingement
• TCP tunnel, costoclavicular entrapment site and interscalene triangle

Question 11

What is a positive Allen maneuver test?

Answer 11

• You are looking for the pulse to diminish or disappear for this test to positive

Question 12

What is the painful arc?

Answer 12

• Pain occurring between 80 and 100 of abduction is characteristic of impingement of the supraspinatus tendon

Question 13

What is a positive lift off sign?

Answer 13

• The inability to do so indicates damage to the subscapularis
• If they can move, you can also do this with resistance to manually muscle test the strength of the subscapularis
• Often pain in front of the shoulder or under the armpit