Shoulder Orthopaedic Test: Empty Can Test

The Empty Can Test assesses pain and strength during resisted shoulder elevation in scaption with the shoulder internally rotated. It is commonly used in supraspinatus or rotator cuff-related assessment, but it does not isolate the supraspinatus or diagnose a tear on its own. A 2020 JOSPT commentary argued that special tests for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain should not be used to identify exact tissue sources because multiple muscles and structures contribute during tests such as the Empty Can and Full Can.  

Introduction

A client reports pain lifting the arm to the side, reaching overhead or pressing. The Empty Can Test may reproduce pain or reveal weakness in a shoulder elevation position commonly associated with the supraspinatus.

However, the result must be interpreted carefully. Pain may reflect rotator cuff-related pain, subacromial sensitivity, load intolerance, pain inhibition or other shoulder contributors. Weakness may reflect pain inhibition rather than structural tearing.

Quick Summary

Test name: Empty Can Test
Also known as: Jobe Test, Supraspinatus Test
Body region: Shoulder, rotator cuff
Purpose: Assess pain and strength during resisted shoulder elevation in scaption
Positive finding: Familiar pain, weakness or inability to resist compared with the other side
Negative finding: No meaningful pain or weakness during resisted elevation
Best used with: Full Can Test, Painful Arc, external rotation strength, shoulder ROM, rotator cuff strength testing and history
Key limitation: It does not isolate the supraspinatus or diagnose a rotator cuff tear on its own

What Is the Empty Can Test?

The Empty Can Test is performed with the shoulder elevated in the scapular plane, usually around 90 degrees, with internal rotation as if emptying a can. The professional applies downward resistance while the client attempts to hold the arm position.

The test records pain, weakness or both.

Why It Is Used

The test is used when rotator cuff-related shoulder pain or supraspinatus involvement is part of the clinical reasoning.

It may help assess pain or weakness during shoulder elevation and support decisions about further strength testing, exercise modification or referral when needed.

What It Assesses

The test assesses resisted shoulder elevation in a specific position. It may involve supraspinatus, deltoid, infraspinatus, scapular muscles, pain sensitivity and motor control.

It does not isolate the supraspinatus and does not diagnose a rotator cuff tear by itself.

Who It Is Useful For

This test may be useful for clients with shoulder pain during elevation, reaching, pressing, lifting, overhead work or sport.

When to Use This Test

Use when the client can lift the arm to the test position safely and the result will help document pain or weakness during elevation.

When Not to Use or When to Be Cautious

Use caution with acute trauma, suspected fracture, recent dislocation, severe pain, recent surgery, inability to raise the arm, high irritability or neurological symptoms.

Equipment Required

Chair or standing space
Pain and strength scale
Measurz recording workflow
Optional handheld dynamometer for related strength testing
Optional comparison side notes

Step-by-Step Protocol / Practice

Setup

Position the client sitting or standing.

Client position

Raise the arm to approximately 90 degrees in the scapular plane, with the thumb pointing down.

Examiner position

Stand in front of or beside the client.

Hand placement

Apply resistance over the distal forearm or wrist.

Stabilisation

Monitor trunk lean, shoulder shrugging, scapular movement and elbow bending.

Movement or force direction

Apply downward resistance while the client holds the arm in position.

Instructions

Ask the client to hold the position and report pain, weakness, familiar symptoms or apprehension.

Positive finding

A positive finding is familiar pain, weakness or inability to resist compared with the other side.

Negative finding

A negative finding is no meaningful pain or weakness during resisted elevation.

Stopping criteria

Stop if pain increases sharply, the arm gives way, symptoms are not tolerated or compensation dominates.

Safety notes

Record pain and weakness separately. Do not assume pain equals tear.

Positive and Negative Test Interpretation

A positive Empty Can Test may support rotator cuff-related shoulder reasoning when it reproduces familiar pain or shows clear weakness compared with the other side.

Pain alone does not identify a specific tissue. Weakness may reflect pain inhibition, neuromuscular control, fear, fatigue or structural involvement.

A negative test does not exclude rotator cuff pathology, particularly partial tears or symptoms that occur only in higher-load tasks.

Interpretation is stronger when combined with Full Can, Painful Arc, external rotation strength, shoulder ROM, resisted abduction, functional loading and history.

Sensitivity, Specificity and Diagnostic Accuracy

The Empty Can Test is used to assess possible supraspinatus tendon involvement. Research has reported sensitivity ranging from 25–88% and specificity ranging from 62–89.5%, meaning the test’s accuracy can vary considerably. A positive test may increase suspicion of supraspinatus involvement, especially when pain or weakness is reproduced, but it should not be used as a stand-alone diagnostic test. It is best interpreted alongside the Full Can Test, resisted external rotation, range of motion, client history, and other rotator cuff assessments.

Reliability and Validity

A 2025 study compared Empty Can manual muscle testing at 0 degrees and 30 degrees of scaption in people with rotator cuff symptoms and calculated sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for diagnosing rotator cuff tear in that sample. This supports ongoing investigation of Empty Can variations, but does not change the need to interpret the test with broader clinical findings.  

Reliability depends on arm angle, scapular plane position, thumb position, resistance level, symptom criteria, comparison side and whether pain and weakness are recorded separately.

Common Errors and Limitations

Common errors include applying excessive resistance, poor arm angle, not using the scapular plane, recording pain and weakness as the same finding, ignoring compensation and interpreting the test as a specific supraspinatus tear test.

Limitations include poor tissue specificity, pain inhibition, deltoid contribution, scapular influence, client effort, symptom irritability and overlap with other shoulder presentations.

Practical Applications

Use the Empty Can Test to document shoulder elevation pain and strength response. It is most useful when combined with Full Can, resisted external rotation, shoulder ROM and functional loading.

How to Record This in Measurz

Record test name, side tested, result, pain score, symptom location, weakness yes/no, arm angle, scapular plane position, thumb position, resistance level, comparison side, compensation, confidence in result and reason for stopping.

Add related findings such as Full Can, Painful Arc, infraspinatus test, external rotation strength, shoulder ROM, rotator cuff strength and overhead functional symptoms.

Related Tests / Internal Links

Full Can Test
Painful Arc
Infraspinatus Test
External Rotation Lag Sign
Drop Arm Test
Shoulder ROM Tests
Shoulder Strength Testing
Neer’s Test
Hawkins-Kennedy Test

FAQs

What does the Empty Can Test assess?

It assesses pain and strength during resisted shoulder elevation in a position commonly used for rotator cuff assessment.

What is a positive Empty Can Test?

A positive finding is familiar pain, weakness or inability to resist compared with the other side.

Does it isolate the supraspinatus?

No. Multiple shoulder muscles contribute during the test.

Can it diagnose a rotator cuff tear?

No. It may support clinical reasoning but does not diagnose a tear on its own.

What should be recorded?

Record side, pain, weakness, arm position, thumb position, resistance level and comparison side.

Key Takeaways

The Empty Can Test assesses resisted shoulder elevation.
Pain and weakness should be recorded separately.
It does not isolate the supraspinatus.
Use it with other rotator cuff, ROM and strength findings.
Measurz should capture position, symptoms, weakness and compensation.

References

Jain, N. B., Luz, J., Higgins, L. D., Dong, Y., Warner, J. J. P., Matzkin, E., Katz, J. N., & ROW Cohort Study Group. (2017). The diagnostic accuracy of special tests for rotator cuff tear: The ROW cohort study. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 96(3), 176–183. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000000566

Powell, J. K., & Lewis, J. S. (2020). It is time to put special tests for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain out to pasture. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 50(5), 222–225.

Shah, R., et al. (2025). Zero vs. 30: A diagnostic manual muscle testing comparison for the Empty Can Test in rotator cuff symptoms. JSES International. Needs verification.