UE Special Tests

Question 1

What are the tests for shoulder impingement?

Answer 1

Neer/Impingement test and Hawkins Maneuver

Question 2

What are the tests for shoulder instability?

Answer 2

Apprehension test, Relocation test, Sulcus Sign

Question 3

What are the tests for a rotator cuff tear?

Answer 3

Drop Arm, Full Can, Empty Can

Question 4

What are the tests for medial and lateral collateral ligament tears?

Answer 4

Varus and valgus tests

Question 5

What are the tests for epicondylitis?

Answer 5

Long finger test (push down for lateral and up for medial)

Question 6

What are the tests for cubital tunnel?

Answer 6

Tinel’s at elbow and deep elbow flexion

Question 7

What is the test for Dequarvain’s Tenosynovitis

Answer 7

Finkelstein’s Maneuver

Question 8

What are the tests for carpal tunnel?

Answer 8

Tinel’s at wrist, Phalen’s, Reverse Phalen’s

Question 9

Describe the Neer/Impingement test

Answer 9

looking for pain

testing for shoulder impingement

Question 10

Describe the Hawkin’s Maneuver

Answer 10

looking for pain

testing for impingement

Question 11

Describe the apprehension test

Answer 11

looking for apprehension

testing for shoulder instability/separation

Question 12

Describe the relocation test

Answer 12

looking for improvement of apprehension

testing for shoulder instability/separation

done after the apprehension test

Question 13

Describe the sulcus sign test

Answer 13

looking for laxity and separation

testing for shoulder instability/separation

Question 14

Describe the full can/empty can test

Answer 14

looking for weakness

testing for rotator cuff tear

Question 15

describe the drop arm test

Answer 15

looking for weakness

testing for rotator cuff tear

Question 16

describe the varus/valgus test

Answer 16

looking for instability of the elbow

testing for medial/lateral collateral ligament tear

Question 17

describe the long finger test

Answer 17

looking for weakness

testing for medial/lateral epicondylitis

Question 18

describe Tinel’s at the elbow

Answer 18

looking for electric shock pain

testing for cubital tunnel syndrome

Question 19

describe the deep elbow flexion test

Answer 19

looking for numbness or electric shock like pain

testing for cubital tunnel syndrome

Question 20

describe the finklestein’s maneuver

Answer 20

looking for pain at the wrist

testing for Dequervain’s Tenosynovitis

Question 21

Describe the tinel’s at the wrist test

Answer 21

looking for numbness or shock-like pain

testing for carpal tunnel syndrome

Question 22

describe phalen’s/reverse phalen’s

Answer 22

looking for sharp pain or numbness

testing for carpal tunnel syndrome

Question 23

Inability to flex the shoulder could be:

Answer 23

impingement

Question 24

inability to rotate the shoulder could be:

Answer 24

frozen shoulder

Question 25

Difficulty flexing the elbow could be:

Answer 25

cubital tunnel syndrome

Question 26

Difficulty flexing the wrist could be:

Answer 26

carpal tunnel syndrome

Question 27

Difficulty making a fist could be

Answer 27

Dupuytren’s contracture

Question 28

Distal Biceps and Brachioradialis reflexes are mediated by what?

Answer 28

C6

Question 29

Triceps reflex is mediated by what?

Answer 29

C7

Question 30

Describe the reflex scale

Answer 30

0/2 - absent
1/2 - diminished
2/2 - normal
3/2 - moderately hyper-reflexive
4/2 - very hyper-reflexive

Question 31

Describe the strength scale

Answer 31

0/5 - no movement
1/5 - trace movement
2/5 - movement but not against gravity
3/5 - movement against gravity but not resistance
4/5 - movement against gravity and resistance but weak
5/5 - normal movement against resistance

Question 32

What would you note if there is 0/5 strength

Answer 32

possible atrophy

Question 33

What would you do if sensation is limited?

Answer 33

2 point discrimination

Question 34

What would you do if you check vascular status and do not feel a pulse/irregular pulse, see pallor, or there is a delayed capillary refill?

Answer 34

Check the opposite side for potential vascular injury