NPTE ALL SPECIAL TESTS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Yergason's Test - Answers - Tests Integrity of transverse ligament; may also identify
Bicipital tendonosis
-pt sitting with shoulder in neutral stabilized by trunk and elbow at 90 forearm pronated
-PT resist supination and ER of shoulder
-tendon of biceps long head will "pop-out" of groove. May also reproduce pain in long
head of biceps tendon
Speed's Test - Answers - Identifies Bicipital tendonosis/tendonopathy
-pt sitting or standing with upper limb in full extension and forearm supinated
-PT resist shoulder flexio
-reproduces symptoms (pain) in long head of biceps tendon
Neer's impingement test - Answers - Impingement of soft tissue structures of shoulder
complex (long head of biceps and the supraspinatus tendon)
-pt sitting and shoulder is passively IR then fully abducted
-reproduces symptoms of pain within shoulder region
Empty can test
(Supraspinatus test) - Answers - Impingement of the supraspinatus tendon or possible
suprascapular nerve neuropathy
-pt is sitting with shoulder at 90 and no rotation and resist shoulder abduction; then
place shoulder in empty can position, IR and 30 horizontal adduction
-compare positions
-reproduces pain in supraspinatus tendon and/or weakness while in empty can position
Drop arm test - Answers - Tear or rupture of rotator cuff muscles
-pt sitting with shoulder passively abducted to 120; instructed to slowly bring arm to side
-PT guards arm from falling
-positive test is pt unable to lower arm to side
Posterior internal impingement test - Answers - Impingement of rotator cuff muscles
between the greater tuberosity
, -pt supine
-PT moves arm at 90 degrees abduction, maximal external rotation and 15-20 horizontal
adduction
-reproduction of pain in posterior shoulder during test
Clunk test - Answers - Glenoid labrum tear
-pt supine with arm in full abduction
-PT push humeral head anterior while rotating humerus externally
-audible clunk is heard during test
Anterior apprehension test - Answers - History of anterior shoulder dislocation
-pt supine with shoulder in 90 abduction
-PT slowly takes shoulder to ER
-pt does not allow or does not like shoulder movement in that direction
Posterior apprehension sign - Answers - History of posterior shoulder dislocation
-pt supine with shoulder abducted to 90 with scapula stabilized by table
-PT places posterior force through shoulder on patients elbow while moving shoulder
into IR and horizontal adduction
-pt does not allow or does not like shoulder movement in that direction
Acromioclavicular shear test - Answers - Dysfunction of the AC joint (arthritis,
separation)
-pt sitting with arms rested at sides
-PT clasps hands and outs one heel of hand on spine of the scapula and one heel of
hand on clavicle; squeeze hands together causing compression
-positive test is reproduction of pain at AC joint
Adson's test - Answers - Thoracic outlet syndrome
-pt sitting
-PT find radial pulse rotate head toward extremity, then extend and ER shoulder while
head extended
-neuro/vascular symptoms reproduced in UE
Yergason's Test - Answers - Tests Integrity of transverse ligament; may also identify
Bicipital tendonosis
-pt sitting with shoulder in neutral stabilized by trunk and elbow at 90 forearm pronated
-PT resist supination and ER of shoulder
-tendon of biceps long head will "pop-out" of groove. May also reproduce pain in long
head of biceps tendon
Speed's Test - Answers - Identifies Bicipital tendonosis/tendonopathy
-pt sitting or standing with upper limb in full extension and forearm supinated
-PT resist shoulder flexio
-reproduces symptoms (pain) in long head of biceps tendon
Neer's impingement test - Answers - Impingement of soft tissue structures of shoulder
complex (long head of biceps and the supraspinatus tendon)
-pt sitting and shoulder is passively IR then fully abducted
-reproduces symptoms of pain within shoulder region
Empty can test
(Supraspinatus test) - Answers - Impingement of the supraspinatus tendon or possible
suprascapular nerve neuropathy
-pt is sitting with shoulder at 90 and no rotation and resist shoulder abduction; then
place shoulder in empty can position, IR and 30 horizontal adduction
-compare positions
-reproduces pain in supraspinatus tendon and/or weakness while in empty can position
Drop arm test - Answers - Tear or rupture of rotator cuff muscles
-pt sitting with shoulder passively abducted to 120; instructed to slowly bring arm to side
-PT guards arm from falling
-positive test is pt unable to lower arm to side
Posterior internal impingement test - Answers - Impingement of rotator cuff muscles
between the greater tuberosity
, -pt supine
-PT moves arm at 90 degrees abduction, maximal external rotation and 15-20 horizontal
adduction
-reproduction of pain in posterior shoulder during test
Clunk test - Answers - Glenoid labrum tear
-pt supine with arm in full abduction
-PT push humeral head anterior while rotating humerus externally
-audible clunk is heard during test
Anterior apprehension test - Answers - History of anterior shoulder dislocation
-pt supine with shoulder in 90 abduction
-PT slowly takes shoulder to ER
-pt does not allow or does not like shoulder movement in that direction
Posterior apprehension sign - Answers - History of posterior shoulder dislocation
-pt supine with shoulder abducted to 90 with scapula stabilized by table
-PT places posterior force through shoulder on patients elbow while moving shoulder
into IR and horizontal adduction
-pt does not allow or does not like shoulder movement in that direction
Acromioclavicular shear test - Answers - Dysfunction of the AC joint (arthritis,
separation)
-pt sitting with arms rested at sides
-PT clasps hands and outs one heel of hand on spine of the scapula and one heel of
hand on clavicle; squeeze hands together causing compression
-positive test is reproduction of pain at AC joint
Adson's test - Answers - Thoracic outlet syndrome
-pt sitting
-PT find radial pulse rotate head toward extremity, then extend and ER shoulder while
head extended
-neuro/vascular symptoms reproduced in UE
