Shoulder Exam

Question 1

Steps

Answer 1

Look 
Feel 
Move
Specific Tests for Rotator cuff/ACJ pathology
or for suspected instability

Question 2

Look

Answer 2

For muscle bulk and Joint deformity (front side and back)

Assess the axilla with patients arms raised.

Question 3

Feel

Answer 3

Sternoclavicular joint, along the clavicle to acromioclavicular joint and border of acromion

Long head of biceps tendon and palpate scapula posteriorly

Question 4

Move

Answer 4

Active and Passive
elbows locked and externally and internally rotatw
Ask patient to lift arms straight up and down
Ask patient to lift arms with breast stroke motion
Hand behind back and reach upwards
Again with the breast stroke movement
Ask patient to have hands on wall at shoulder height and bring chest in towards the wall and repeat at waist height

Have arms out at shoulder length and outwardly rotated and ask patient to resist movement downards

Asses external rotation against rotation

Dorsum of hand at buttock and ask patient to resist movement

Question 5

Rotator Cuff or ACJ Pathology

Answer 5

Painful arc on abduction
Arms out and outwardly rotated and ask patient to resist movement
Scarf test

Question 6

Instability

Answer 6

With arms at side, pull down on arm.

Anterior and posterior drawer test

Apprehension Tests (externally rotate shoulder with elbow flexed) and arm over the chest with elbow flexed