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...
Gerber’s Test, or the Lift-Off Test, assesses whether the client can lift the hand away from the lower back against gravity or resistance. A positive finding may include inability to lift off, weakness, compensation or familiar pain compared with the other side. A 2022 systematic review and meta-ana...
The Crank Test assesses whether axial loading and rotation of the elevated shoulder reproduces deep pain, catching, clicking or mechanical symptoms that may be associated with labral involvement. A positive finding may increase suspicion when it reproduces familiar deep shoulder symptoms, but it doe...
The drop arm test is a physical examination maneuver used to assess for full-thickness rotator cuff tears. It is performed by asking the patient to actively lift their arm to shoulder level, then slowly lower it back down to their side. If the patient is unable to smoothly lower their arm or experie...
The Biceps Load II Test assesses whether resisted elbow flexion in an abducted and externally rotated shoulder position reproduces or increases shoulder pain that may be associated with the superior labrum and biceps anchor. A positive test may increase suspicion of SLAP or biceps-labral complex inv...
Codman’s Test is commonly used to assess whether the client can control lowering the arm from an elevated position. A positive finding may include sudden dropping, inability to lower smoothly, marked weakness or familiar pain. Contemporary shoulder assessment commentary cautions that rotator cuff sp...
The Arm Squeeze Test assesses whether squeezing the middle third of the upper arm reproduces markedly greater pain than squeezing the acromioclavicular or subacromial region. It is intended to help differentiate cervical nerve root-related arm pain from shoulder-origin pain. A 2021 diagnostic accura...
The Apprehension Test assesses whether placing the shoulder into abduction and external rotation produces apprehension or a feeling of impending instability. A positive result is more meaningful when the client reports apprehension, slipping or fear of dislocation rather than pain alone. Current sho...
The Anterior Drawer Test of the Shoulder assesses anterior translation of the humeral head relative to the glenoid. A positive or meaningful finding depends on increased translation, lack of endpoint, apprehension or reproduction of familiar instability symptoms compared with the other side. A 2025 ...
The Belly Press Test assesses subscapularis function by testing the client’s ability to maintain internal rotation pressure against the abdomen without compensating. A positive finding may include weakness, inability to keep the elbow forward, wrist flexion compensation or familiar anterior shoulder...
The Bear Hug Test assesses subscapularis function by testing resisted shoulder internal rotation with the hand placed on the opposite shoulder. A positive finding may include weakness, inability to maintain hand position or familiar pain compared with the other side. A 2022 systematic review and met...
The Transverse Ligament Stress Test is a high-caution upper cervical screening manoeuvre historically used to assess possible transverse ligament compromise and atlantoaxial instability. It should not be used routinely, aggressively or as a way to “clear” the cervical spine before high-load activity...
