Shoulder Exam Video

Question 1

Begin by inspecting for ______________.

Answer 1

erythema, swelling, and obvious asymmetries or deformities

Question 2

What things should you palpate for?

Answer 2

• Clavicle from sternum to acromion
• Lesser tuberosity of the humerus (medial)
• Greater tuberosity of the humerus (lateral)
• Spine of the scapula
• Supraspinatus
• Infraspinatus

Question 3

What ROM exercises should you have the patient do?

Answer 3

• Flexion (should be 180º)
• Extension (should be 40º)
• Abduction (should be 180º)
• Adduction (should be 30º)
• Internal rotation (should be 45º)
• External rotation (should be 45º)

Question 4

Muscle strength should be graded on the __________ scale.

Answer 4

5-point

Question 5

List the tests that should be done to evaluate strength.

Answer 5

• Flexion: with the patient’s elbow flexed to 90º, have them flex forward while you hold their upper arm
• Extension in the same position as the flexion text, have them push back
• Abduction: put your hands on their upper arms and then have them abduct
• Internal rotation: with elbow flexed to 90º, put your hands on the outsides of their wrists and ask them to fan their wrists outward
• External rotation: in the same position as the internal rotation test, put your hands on the inside on their wrists and ask them to push inward
• Supraspinatus test: empty can
• Subscapularis: with their hand on their back facing posteriorly, have them push against you

Question 6

What does Neer’s impingement test evaluate?

Answer 6

If there is pain with passive movement of the arm with the scapula stabilized, then a rotator cuff tear is likely.

Question 7

What are two tests that can evaluate labral tears?

Answer 7

• With the patient’s arm adducted inward while raised to parallel with the floor, have them rotate downward. When you press on the top of their arm, pain will be elicited in a labral tear.
• With the patient’s arm raised to parallel with the floor, have them flex their elbow to 90º. Apply inward pressure on their elbow and then rotate their humerus. Pain will be present in a labral tear.