Shoulder Orthopaedic Test: Hawkins / Kennedy Impingement Test

The Hawkins-Kennedy impingement test is a clinical test used to identify possible subacromial impingement syndrome, which occurs when there is compression of the rotator cuff tendons and subacromial bursa between the acromion and the humeral head. Here's how the test is performed:

1. The patient is seated or standing with their arm positioned in 90 degrees of forward flexion at the shoulder and 90 degrees of elbow flexion.
2. The examiner then stabilizes the patient's shoulder with one hand and with the other hand, passively internally rotates the patient's arm.
3. The examiner continues to rotate the arm until resistance is felt or the patient experiences pain.
4. If pain is felt between 70 to 120 degrees of internal rotation, this suggests a positive Hawkins-Kennedy impingement test.

The Hawkins-Kennedy impingement test is a clinical test that is used as a part of the physical examination for diagnosing subacromial impingement syndrome. A normal result for the Hawkins-Kennedy impingement test is the absence of pain or discomfort during the passive internal rotation of the shoulder. However, a negative test does not rule out the possibility of subacromial impingement syndrome.

References:

1. Hawkins, R. J., & Kennedy, J. C. (1980). Impingement syndrome in athletes. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 8(3), 151-158.
2. Neer, C. S. (1983). Impingement lesions. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 173, 70-77.
3. Magee, D. J. (2013). Orthopedic Physical Assessment-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
4. Cook, C., & Hegedus, E. J. (2015). Orthopedic physical examination tests: An evidence-based approach. Pearson.