Shoulder Orthopaedic Test: Rent Test

The Rent test is a physical examination maneuver used to assess for the presence of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Here are the steps to perform the Rent test:

1. Ask the patient to sit comfortably with their arm hanging at their side.
2. With one hand, stabilize the patient's scapula (shoulder blade).
3. With your other hand, grasp the patient's elbow and passively abduct their arm to 90 degrees.
4. While maintaining this position, ask the patient to actively externally rotate their arm against your resistance.
5. While maintaining resistance, ask the patient to lower their arm slowly to their side.
6. Observe the patient's face for signs of pain or discomfort and ask if they experience any pain during the maneuver.
7. Repeat the test on the other side.
8. Document the result of the test in the patient's medical record.

A positive Rent test result is indicated by a sudden drop of the arm during lowering or the inability to maintain abduction. This finding may suggest a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. 

The Rent test does not have a "normal" or "abnormal" result. Instead, the test is used to assess for the presence of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

References:

1. Gerber C, Schneeberger AG, Hoppeler H, Meyer DC. Correlation of atrophy and fatty infiltration on strength and integrity of rotator cuff repairs: a study in thirteen patients. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2007;16(6):691-696.
2. Kim SH, Park JS, Jeong WK, et al. The impact of tear location on clinical outcomes of rotator cuff repair. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2013;21(9):2056-2061.
3. Liem D, Alci S, Dedy N, et al. A prospective randomized study comparing electrothermal arthroscopic shoulder capsulorrhaphy with open thermal capsulorrhaphy. Arthroscopy. 2006;22(10):1055-1062.