Physical exam components This topic is broken down into Inspection Palpation Range of Motion Neurovascular Provocative tests Inspection Important to compare both shoulders skin scars symmetry swelling atrophy hypertrophy scapular winging Palpation All bony prominences including cervical spinous processes sternoclavicular joint clavicle acromioclavicular joint acromion coracoid process scapular spine Muscles and soft tissues including paraspinal muscles periscapular region deltoid rotator cuff tendon insertion / greater tuberosity long head of the biceps tendon in groove Range of Motion Cervical spine range of motion flexion extension lateral flexion rotation Shoulder range of motion Compare active and passive motion, both sides normal values should be considered relative to contralateral side as patient flexibility may vary Six planes of motion should be examined and documented forward elevation login to view 1 more bullet abduction login to view 2 more bullets external rotation at 90 degrees abduction external rotation at side login to view 1 more bullet internal rotation to vertebral height login to view 1 more bullet internal rotation at 90 degrees abduction Neurovascular Exam Sensation check all dermatomes along the C4-T1 distribution Motor Motor Root Primary Motion Tested Muscles Reflex C4 Scapular Stabilization (winging) Upper portion of serratus anterior (rarely tested) C5 Shoulder abduction Elbow flexion (palm up) Deltoid Biceps Biceps C6 Elbow flexion (thumb up) Wrist extension Brachioradialis ECRL Brachioradialis C7 Elbow extension Wrist flexion Triceps FCR Triceps C8 Finger flexion, hand grip, thumb extension FDS T1 Finger abduction Interossei (ulnar n.) Vascular brachial, radial, ulnar artery pulses Provocative tests - Impingement Neer Impingement Sign indicative of impingement of rotator cuff tendon/bursa against the coracoacromial arch other abnormalities can produce a positive test including login to view 4 more bullets technique use one hand to prevent motion of the scapula; raise the arm of the patient with the other hand in forced elevation (somewhere between flexion and abduction) pain is elicited (positive test) as the greater tuberosity impinges against the acromion (between 70-110°) login to view 1 more bullet sensitivity 75-86%, specificity 50% Neer Impingement Test positive when there is a marked reduction in pain from above impingement maneuver following subacromial lidocaine injection technique usually a combination of login to view 3 more bullets Hawkins Test technique performed by flexing shoulder to 90°, flex elbow to 90°, and forcibly internally rotate driving the greater tuberosity farther under the CA ligament. sensitivity 75-92%, specificity 45% Internal Impingement technique abduct affected side to 90° and maximally externally rotate (throwing position-late cocking phase) with extension if this maneuver reproduces pain experienced during throwing (posteriorly located) considered it is considered positive. further confirmed with relief upon performing relocation test ER with elbow in front of plane of body and pain disappears. Provocative tests - Rotator Cuff Pathology Subscapularis Tests Subscapularis Strength do not test with isolated IR strength with the arm at the side due to contribution of pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi Internal Rotation Lag Sign most sensitive and specific test for subscapularis pathology. login to view 2 more bullets Increased Passive ER a person with a subscapularis tear may have increased Passive ER rotation when compared to contralateral side Lift Off Test technique login to view 3 more bullets Belly Press technique login to view 2 more bullets Bear Hug patient places ipsilateral palm on the opposite deltoid and tries to resist the examiner pulling it away anteriorly login to view 1 more bullet Supraspinatus Tests Supraspinatus Strength strength is assessed using Jobe’s Test (see below) – pain with this test is indicative of a subacromial bursitis/irritation – not necessarily a tear. Only considered positive for tear with a true drop arm. i.e. arm is brought to 90° and literally falls down. Jobe’s Test tests for supraspinatus weakness and/or impingement technique login to view 1 more bullet Drop Sign tests for function/integrity of supraspinatus technique login to view 1 more bullet most specific test for full thickness rotator cuff tear (specificity 98%) Infraspinatus Infraspinatus Strength technique login to view 1 more bullet External Rotation Lag Sign technique login to view 1 more bullet Teres Minor Teres Minor Strength external rotation tested with the arm held in 90 degrees of abduction Hornblower's sign technique login to view 1 more bullet Provocative tests - Labral Injuries and SLAP lesions Active Compression test ("O'Brien's Test") positive for SLAP tear when there is pain is "deep" in the glenohumeral joint while the forearm is pronated but not when the forearm is supinated. technique patient forward flexes the affected arm to 90 degrees while keeping the elbow fully extended. The arm is then adducted 10-15 degrees across the body. The patient then pronates the forearm so the thumb is pointing down. The examiner applies downward force to the wrist while the arm is in this position while the patient resists. The patient then supinates the forearm so the palm is up and the examiner once again applies force to the wrist while the patient resists. Crank Test positive when there is clicking or pain in the glenohumeral joint technique hold the patient's arm in an abducted position and apply passive rotation and axial rotation. Provocative tests - Biceps Injuries Bicipital Groove Tenderness may be present with any condition that could lead to an inflamed long head biceps tendon and a SLAP lesion Speed's Test positive when there is pain elicited in the bicipital groove technique patient attempts to forward elevate their shoulder against resistance while they keep their elbow extended and forearm supinated. Yergason's Sign positive when there is pain in the bicipital groove technique elbow flexed to 90 degrees with the forearm pronated. The examiner holds the hand/wrist to maintain pronated position while the patient attempts to actively supinate against this resistance. If there is pain located along the bicipital groove the test is positive for biceps tendon pathology. Popeye Sign present when there is a large bump in the area of the biceps muscle belly. Consistent with long head of biceps proximal tendon rupture. Provocative tests - AC Joint pathology Acromioclavicular joint tenderness tenderness with palpation of the acromioclavicular joint Cross-Body Adduction positive when there is pain in the AC joint technique patient forward elevates the arm to 90 degrees and actively adducts the arm across the body. Obrien's Test (Active Compression test) positive when there is pain "superficial" over the AC joint while the forearm is pronated but not when the forearm is supinated technique patient forward flexes the affected arm to 90 degrees while keeping the elbow fully extended. The arm is then adducted 10-15 degrees across the body. The patient then pronates the forearm so the thumb is pointing down. The examiner applies downward force to the wrist while the arm is in this position while the patient resists. The patient then supinates the forearm so the palm is up and the examiner once again applies force to the wrist while the patient resists. Provocative tests - Instability Grading of Translation of Humeral Head 1+ Translation to glenoid rim 2+ Translation over glenoid rim but reduces 3+ Translates and locks out of glenoid Anterior Instability Anterior Load and Shift positive when there is increased translation compared to the contralateral side technique login to view 1 more bullet Apprehension and Relocation positive test if the patient experiences the sensation of instability technique login to view 1 more bullet Anterior Release positive test if the patient experiences instability when examiner's hand is released technique login to view 1 more bullet Anterior Drawer positive if there is sense of instability when compared to the contralateral side technique login to view 1 more bullet Posterior Instability Posterior Load and Shift positive if there is increased translation compared to contralateral side technique login to view 1 more bullet Jerk Test positive if there is a 'clunk' or pain with the maneuver technique login to view 1 more bullet Kim test test is positive when pain is present technique login to view 1 more bullet Posterior Drawer positive if there is increased translation when compared to the contralateral side technique login to view 1 more bullet Posterior Stress Test positive if there is pain and sense of instability with the maneuver technique login to view 1 more bullet Loss of External Rotation a shoulder that is locked in internal rotation may be subluxed posteriorly. Multidirectional Instability (MDI) Sulcus Sign have the patient stand relaxed with their arms at their side. Grab their affected arm and pull it inferiorly. If there is a sulcus that forms at the superior aspect of the humeral head, the test is positive. Sulcus is considered positive if it stays increased (2+ or 3+) with ER at side (pathologic rotator interval). Sulcus grading 1+ Acromiohumeral interval < 1cm 2+ Acromiohumeral interval 1-2 cm 3+ Acromiohumeral interval > 2cm Provocative tests - Other Wright's Test test for thoracic outlet syndrome. positive if the patient losses their radial pulse technique passively externally rotate and abduct the patient's arm while having the patient turn their neck away from the tested extremity. Medial Scapular Winging test for serratus anterior weakness or long thoracic nerve dysfunction. positive if the inferior border of the scapula migrates medially technique while standing, have the patient forward flex their arm to 90 degrees and push against a wall (or other stationary object). Lateral Scapular Winging test for trapezius weakness or spinal accessory nerve (CNXI) dysfunction positive if the inferior boarder of the scapula migrates laterally technique while standing, have the patient forward flex to 90 degrees and push against a wall (or other stationary object). Pectoralis Axillary Webbing look for a defect in the normal axillary fold. A deformity may be indicative of an pectoralis major muscle rupture