glenohumeral joint, ortho, rotator cuff, ROTC tear, shoulder pain, special test

Purpose

A test to identify a rotator cuff (ROTC) tear.

Technique

Patient is positioned in sitting.

Clinician passively abducts the arm to 90°.

Clinician asks the patient to slowly lower her arm with her palm down.

Positive

Patient unable to control lower the arm and it drops.

Interpretation

A positive test indicates a ROTC tear.

References

1. Dutton, M. (2008). Orthopaedic: Examination, evaluation, and intervention (2nd ed.). New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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