Shoulder Exam

Flexion: "Raise your arms in front of you and overhead."

• • 0° - 180°

  • Anterior deltoid, pectoralis major (clavicular head), coracobrachialis, biceps brachii (short head of biceps)

Extension: "Raise your arms behind you."

• • 0° - 80°

  • Latissimus dorsi, teres major, posterior deltoid, triceps brachii (long-head)

Abduction: "Raise your arms out to the side and overhead."

• • 0° - 80°

  • Supraspinatus, middle deltoid, serratus anterior

Adduction: "Raise your arm in front of your body."

• • Pectoralis major, coracobrachialis, Latissimus dorsi, teres major, subscapular

Internal Rotation: "Place your hand behind your back and touch your shoulder blade."

• • Subscapularis, anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi

External Rotation: "Raise your arms to shoulder level, bend your elbow and rotate your forearm toward the ceiling." OR "Place one hand behind your neck or head as if you are brushing your hair

• • Infraspinatus, teres minor, posterior deltoid.

Maneuvers for shoulder exam:

• • AC-Jt: "Cross-over" test.

  • Apley scratch test

  • Neer's impingement sign

  • Hawkin's impingement sign

  • Supraspinatus strength - "Empty can test"

  • Infaraspinatus strength

  • Forearm supination

  • Drop arm test.

Predictors of rotator cuff tear: Supraspinatus weakness on abduction. Infraspinatus weakness during external rotation, and positive impingement sign.