Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center

 

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Speed's Test

Other Names Biceps Test, Straight-Arm Test
Examination type Tendon pathology/integrity
Patient & Body Segment Positioning The patient is seated with the involved shoulder at 90degrees, the elbow fully extended, and the forearm supinated.
Examiner Position The examiner should to the side of the patient on the side of the involved shoulder.  The examiner palpates the bicipital groove of the involved shoulder with one hand places the other hand on the patient’s wrist to apply resistance.
Tissues Being Tested Long head of Biceps tendon
Performing the Test While the patient actively flexes the shoulder keeping the elbow extended, the examiner resists forward flexion of the arm while palpating the patient's biceps tendon over the anterior aspect of the shoulder.  The test should then be repeated with the patient’s forearm pronated.
Positive Test Pain or tenderness in the bicipital groove (especially with forearm supinated)
Interpretation Tenderness indicates bicep tendonitis, paratenonitis, or tendinosis
Common errors in performing exam Incorrect hand positioning is often a common error in performing this exam.  Also, the examiner should palpate the biceps tendon in the bicipital groove and should test bilaterally for comparison.
Factors possibly resulting in misinterpretation This test may elicit pain if a SLAP lesion of the labrum is present and therefore produce a false positive test. Also if profound weakness is present on resisted supination, severe 2nd or 3rd degree strain of distal biceps should be suspected.
Related tests Yergason's test, Ludington’s test, Gilchrest’s Sign, Lippman’s test, Heuter’s sign
References Magee, David J. (2002). Orthopedic Physical Assessment. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
Links:

http://www.fpnotebook.com/ORT121.htm

http://goaggies.cameron.edu/training/study21
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