ORTHOPEDIC SPECIAL TESTS EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
Adson's Test
Purpose.
Thoracic outlet syndrome.
Positive Test.
Diminished radial pulses.
Technique.
Patient in upright position. Passively extend, abduct and externally rotate affected arm
while palpating the radial pulse. Ask patient to take a deep breath and hold it in. Ask
patient to extend neck and rotate the head towards affected side.
Spurling's Test
Purpose.
Cervical radiculopathy (brachial plexus injury).
Positive Test.
Reproduction of pain on affected side.
Technique.
,Laterally flex the head to unaffected side. Apply an axial compression force through the
top of the head. Repeat on affected side.
Apprehension & Relocation Test
Purpose.
Anterior GHJ injury (RTC).
Positive Test.
Patient apprehension.
Technique.
Flex the patient's elbow to 90 degrees. Abduct patient's shoulder to 90 degrees. Apply
shoulder external rotation force.
Sulcus Sign
Purpose.
Superior GH ligament and coracohumeral ligament injury (RTC).
Positive Test.
Visualization of depression formation between the lateral acromion and head of
humerus.
Technique.
Apply downward force at elbow while arm is in a neutral resting position at patient's
side.
, Empty Can (Jobe) Test
Purpose.
Supraspinatus injury (RTC).
Positive Test.
Pain or weakness with resistance.
Technique.
Arm in 90 degrees abduction in scapular plane, elbow extended, full internal rotation,
pronation of forearm. Stabilize shoulder while applying a downwardly directed force to
arm while patient resists.
Drop Arm Test
Purpose.
Supraspinatus injury (RTC).
Positive Test.
Pain, arm suddenly drops.
Technique.
Abduct arm to 90 degrees. Support arm at elbow. Release elbow support.
Lift-off (Gerber's) Test
Purpose.
Subscapularis injury (RTC injury).
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
Adson's Test
Purpose.
Thoracic outlet syndrome.
Positive Test.
Diminished radial pulses.
Technique.
Patient in upright position. Passively extend, abduct and externally rotate affected arm
while palpating the radial pulse. Ask patient to take a deep breath and hold it in. Ask
patient to extend neck and rotate the head towards affected side.
Spurling's Test
Purpose.
Cervical radiculopathy (brachial plexus injury).
Positive Test.
Reproduction of pain on affected side.
Technique.
,Laterally flex the head to unaffected side. Apply an axial compression force through the
top of the head. Repeat on affected side.
Apprehension & Relocation Test
Purpose.
Anterior GHJ injury (RTC).
Positive Test.
Patient apprehension.
Technique.
Flex the patient's elbow to 90 degrees. Abduct patient's shoulder to 90 degrees. Apply
shoulder external rotation force.
Sulcus Sign
Purpose.
Superior GH ligament and coracohumeral ligament injury (RTC).
Positive Test.
Visualization of depression formation between the lateral acromion and head of
humerus.
Technique.
Apply downward force at elbow while arm is in a neutral resting position at patient's
side.
, Empty Can (Jobe) Test
Purpose.
Supraspinatus injury (RTC).
Positive Test.
Pain or weakness with resistance.
Technique.
Arm in 90 degrees abduction in scapular plane, elbow extended, full internal rotation,
pronation of forearm. Stabilize shoulder while applying a downwardly directed force to
arm while patient resists.
Drop Arm Test
Purpose.
Supraspinatus injury (RTC).
Positive Test.
Pain, arm suddenly drops.
Technique.
Abduct arm to 90 degrees. Support arm at elbow. Release elbow support.
Lift-off (Gerber's) Test
Purpose.
Subscapularis injury (RTC injury).
