Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center

 

Examination Links:

 

Gilcrest Palm-Up Test

Examination type Tendon pathology/integrity
Patient & Body Segment Positioning Patient stands holding a 5-7 pound weight in their hand over their head with the elbow extended and arm laterally rotated so that the palm is facing up.
Examiner Position The examiner should stand in front of the patient to observe for pain or tenderness in the bicipital groove during the test.  The examiner should also listen for any audible popping sounds.
Tissues Being Tested biceps tendon
Performing the Test The patient keeps the palm facing up and tries to lower the weight to their side in a coronal plain (adduction).
Positive Test Discomfort, pain, or tenderness in the bicipital groove; may hear an audible snap when arm reaches between 900 and 1000 of abduction
Interpretation Bicipital paratenonitis or tendionosis
Common errors in performing exam Not keeping the palm facing upward (arm externally rotated)
Factors possibly resulting in misinterpretation An audible snapping or popping noises does not occur in all cases.  Pain with this test should be in the bicipital groove.  Pain in other locations is indicative of other shoulder pathology.
Related tests Speed's Test, Yergason’s test, Ludington’s test, Lippman’s test, Heuter’s sign
References Magee. Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 4th Ed. 2002.
Links:

http://www.emedicine.com/pmr/topic16.htm

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