Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center

 

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O'brien Test

Examination type Joint instability, cartilage integrity
Patient & Body Segment Positioning Patient standing with elbow fully extended with shoulder flexed 90 degrees, adducted 10-15 degrees, and internally rotated so that the thumb faces downward (forearm in pronation)
Examiner Position Standing behind or beside patient with one hand stabilizing the affected shoulder and the other hand placed on the extended arm to apply force
Performing the Test Examiner applies eccentric force to flexed, adducted and pronated arm while patient tries to elevate arm. Procedure is performed a second time with the forearm in supination.
Tissues Being Tested Superior Labrum
Positive Test Pain elicited during first part of test with arm pronated but pain relieved or decreased during second maneuver with arm supinated
Interpretation May indicate a SLAP lesion (superior labral tear from anterior-posterior)
Common errors in performing exam Incorrect hand placement of examiner
Factors possibly resulting in misinterpretation Other shoulder conditions such as impingement or rotator cuff tears
Related tests Crank Test, Anterior slide test, Biceps Load Test, Biceps Tension Test, Labral Crank Test
References

Magee. Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 4th Ed. 2002.

http://ajs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/30/6/806
Links: http://ajs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/30/6/806
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