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Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center

Examination Links:

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Alphabetical Listing
of Examinations
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Head

Cervical Spine

Thoracic Spine

Lumbar Spine

Shoulder

Elbow & Radioulnar

Wrist

Hand & Fingers

Sacroiliac Joint

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Ipsilateral Prone Kinetic Test
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FABER Test
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Passive Extension & Internal 
Rotation of Ilium on Sacrum

Passive Flexion & External 
Rotation of Ilium on Sacrum

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Passive External Rotation 
of Hip
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Pelvic Rocking Test
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Gapping Test
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Prone Gapping (Hibb's) Test
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Approximation Test
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Squish Test
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Sacroiliac Rocking Test
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Sacral Apex Pressure Test
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Torsion Stress Test
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Femoral Shear Test
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Superoinferior Symphysis
Pubic Stress Test

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Piedallu's Sign
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Flamingo Maneuver or Test
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Gaenslen's Sign
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Mazion's Pelvic Maneuver
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Yeoman's Test
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Sit-up Test
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Hip & Thigh

Knee

Lower Leg

Ankle

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Foot
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- ```
Morton Test
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Range of Motion
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Goniometry
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Manual Muscle Testing
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Reflexes
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Vital Signs
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Body Composition
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Drop Arm Test

Other Names

Drop Sign Test, Codman’s Test

Examination type

Muscle Test, ROM

Patient & Body Segment Positioning

The patient should be standing with arms resting at sides.

Examiner Position

Examiner should stand directly in front of or behind the patient.

Tissues Being Tested

Rotator Cuff Muscles (specifically the supraspinatus muscle)

Performing the Test

Have patient actively abduct the shoulder to 90⁰. If the patient is not able to actively abduct the shoulder, then the examiner should passively abduct the shoulder to 90⁰ and ask the patient to hold the arm in that position. Next have the patient slowly adduct or lower the arm towards the body. If the patient can lower the arm without problem, the test should be performed again and the examiner should apply a slight tap on the forearm when the arm is abducted at 90⁰.

Positive Test

This test will be positive if the patient can not control the adduction movement of the arm and the arm drops to the patient’s side. A positive test is also indicated if the patient has severe pain with the adduction movement.

Interpretation

Indicates a possible tear of the rotator cuff with the most specific muscle being the supraspinatus.

Common errors in performing exam

Not allowing the athlete to try to actively abduct and then adduct the arm before passively abducting the arm or tapping on the arm.

Factors possibly resulting in misinterpretation

Be sure to watch for patient compensation. The patient may elevate their shoulder girdle to help them with shoulder abduction.

Related tests

Supraspinatus Test (Empty Can Test), Painful Arc, and Abrasion Test

References

Booher, James M., & Thibodeau Gary A. (2000). Athletic Injury Assessment Fourth Edition. U.S.A.: McGraw-Hill.

Magee, David J. (2002). Orthopedic Physical Assessment. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.

Prentice, William E. (2003). Arnheim’s Principles of Athletic Training A Competency-Based Approach. U.S.A.: McGraw-Hill Companies, INC.

Links:

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

http://www.fpnotebook.com/ORT124.htm

http://www.emedmag.com/html/pre/cov/covers/021505.asp

http://medinfo.ufl.edu/year1/bcs/slides/extrem/slide15.html

http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/shoulder_physical_exam

http://www.physiatry.org/education/Massagli/CD/Sports%20Med%20lecture.doc

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