Special Tests Flashcards
Yergason’s Test
Purpose - Transverse ligament integrity
Description - Patient sitting with elbow flexed to 90 degrees and stabilized against the thorax and with the FA pronated. Resist the supination of FA and shoulder external rotation.
Result - Tendon of Biceps long head will pop out of the groove. Tenderness in the bicipital groove alone without the dislocation may indicate bicipital paratenonitis/tendinosis.
Neer’s Impingement Test
Purpose: Impingement of supraspinatus and biceps tendon
Description: The patient’s arm is passively and forcibly elevated in the scapular plane with the arm medially rotated by the examiner. This passive stress causes the greater tuberosity to jam against the anteroinferior border of the acromion.
Result: Reproduces the symptoms of pain in the shoulder region.
Empty Can/Jobe Test
Purpose: Identify tear/ impingement of supraspinatus tendon or suprascapular nerve neuropathy
Description: The patient’s arm is abducted to 90 degrees with neutral (no) rotation, and the examiner provides resistance to abduction. The shoulder is then medially rotated and angled forward 30 degrees (“empty can” position) so that the patient’s thumb point toward the floor in the plane of the scapula. Differentiate if pain is present between two positions
Result: Reproduces pain in supraspinatus tendon or weakness in empty can position
Speed’s Test
Purpose: Identify bicipital tendinosis/tendinopathy
Description: Upper limb in full extension and FA supinated, resist shoulder flexion. Alternate - place shoulder in 90 degree flexion and push upper limb into extension
Result: Pain in long head of biceps tendon/increased tenderness in the bicipital groove
Drop Arm Test/Codman’s Test
Purpose - Identify tear/full rupture of Rotator Cuff
Description - PT abducts the patient’s shoulder to 90 degrees and then asks the patient to slowly lower the arm to the side in the same arc of movement
Result - A positive test is indicated if the patient is unable to return the arm to the side slowly or has severe pain when attempting to do so
Posterior Internal Impingement Test
Purpose: To identify impingement between rotator cuff and greater tuberosity or posterior glenoid and labrum
Description: Patient is placed in supine. PT passively abducts the shoulder to 90 to 110, with 15 - 20 extension and maximum ER
Result: Pain in posterior shoulder during test
