O’Brien’s Test, also known as the Active Compression Test, is commonly used to assess shoulder symptom provocation associated with superior labral and acromioclavicular (AC) joint presentations. This article explains the protocol, interpretation, diagnostic accuracy considerations, limitations and p...

The Passive Compression Test is a posterior shoulder assessment used to evaluate symptom provocation during passive shoulder compression and movement. It may help identify posterior shoulder irritability and instability-related symptoms when interpreted alongside broader shoulder assessment findings...

The Painful Arc test is commonly used to assess shoulder pain provocation during active arm elevation. It is often associated with subacromial pain presentations, rotator cuff irritation and shoulder loading sensitivity. This article explains the protocol, interpretation, limitations and practical a...

The Lag Sign of the Shoulder is a shoulder orthopaedic test commonly used to assess possible rotator cuff involvement, particularly the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. The test evaluates the client’s ability to actively maintain a passively positioned shoulder posture. This article explains the pro...

Neer’s Test is used to assess shoulder pain provocation in positions that reduce subacromial space. It helps identify symptom sensitivity during end-range shoulder flexion but does not confirm structural impingement.

Introduction

Shoulder pain during overhead movement is commonly associated with:

The Load and Shift Test assesses anterior and posterior translation of the glenohumeral joint. This article explains the protocol, interpretation, limitations and how it fits into shoulder instability assessment.

Introduction

Shoulder instability presentations may include:

• anterior apprehension
...

The Norwood Stress Test assesses anterior shoulder laxity through passive anterior translation of the humeral head. It helps identify instability tendencies but does not confirm structural injury.

Introduction

Shoulder instability involves passive capsular restraint, active muscular control and lo...

The Jerk Test assesses whether posterior loading of the shoulder produces a painful clunk, jerk or familiar posterior instability symptoms. A positive result may support posterior shoulder instability reasoning when it reproduces the client’s familiar symptoms. Contemporary posterior shoulder instab...

The Internal Rotation Lag Sign assesses whether a client can maintain a passively placed shoulder internal rotation position, commonly with the hand behind the back. A positive finding is inability to hold the position, visible lag, weakness or symptom reproduction. A 2022 systematic review and meta...

The Inferior Sulcus Test is used to assess the glenohumeral joint for inferior instability. Here are the steps to perform the test:

1. Position the patient standing or sitting with their arm at their side.
2. Grasp the patient's elbow with one hand and their wrist with the other hand.
3. Apply a downwar...

The Infraspinatus Test assesses pain and strength during resisted shoulder external rotation. A positive finding may include familiar posterior or lateral shoulder pain, weakness or inability to resist compared with the other side. Current shoulder examination literature cautions against using rotat...

Jobe’s Relocation Test assesses whether applying a posteriorly directed force to the humeral head reduces apprehension or familiar symptoms in an anterior instability position. A positive finding may support anterior shoulder instability reasoning when relocation reduces apprehension, slipping or fa...