Shoulder Physical Exam Tests

Rotator Cuff Tests

• Supraspinatus Test
  • Abduct arm to 90', forward flex it 30' w/ thumb down ("empy beer can position")
  • Test for pain/weakness against resistance to continued abduction
• Infraspinatus and Teres Minor Test
  • Stabilize the elbow against the pt's waist and bend the elbow to 90'
  • Test for pain/weakness against resistance to external rotation
• Subscapularis Test
  • Place hand behind lower back
  • Test for pain/weakness as pt attempts to push examiner's hand away by moving dorsum of hand away from back
• Drop arm test
  • Pt is unable to hold or smoothly lower an extended arm at 90' of shoulder abduction w/o dropping it

Impingement Tests

• Maneuver of Neer
  • Prevent scapular rotation w/ one hand while rasing pt's straightened arm in full forward flexion to overhead
  • Positive sign is pain in the arc bewtween 70-120'
• Hawkins Impingement Test
  • Position the shoulder at 90' of abduction and elbow at 90' of flexion
  • Then rotate shoulder internally bringing the arm across the front of the pt
  • Positive sign is pain during this maneuver

Source

• Tintinalli

See Also

• Shoulder (Main)