Shoulder pain is among the more common reasons for why people visit a healthcare provider.
Pain, tenderness, and reduced range of motion in your shoulder can disrupt your daily life.
Your healthcare provider may use one or several special tests so you can pinpoint the problem.
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The Neer test, Crank test, and Speed’s test are among these tests.
This article explains 12 of these specific tests used for shoulder pain.
They will ask you about your history of injuries, your pain level, and your lifestyle.
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Different structures, including several joints, muscles, andtendons, make up your shoulder.
Some basic tests that measure things likerange of motionand muscle strength will likely be done first.
They will help to find the general area of your shoulder that has been affected.
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Special shoulder tests are then used to narrow down the possible causes and the most effective treatments.
These tests can also look for changes over time.
Allow a healthcare provider to guide you.
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Neer Test
The Neer test is quite simple.
It is designed to look forshoulder impingement.
This is a pop in ofrotator cuff injurythat’s common in young and middle-aged people.
Your healthcare provider will stand behind you with a hand atop the affected shoulder.
You’ll start with your arms down by your side.
Your provider then rotates your arm inward so that your thumb faces backward and down.
They next lift your arm straight up toward the sky.
This action reduces the space between your rotator cuff and the bone on top of your shoulder.
The Neer test is positive if this motion causes pain.
It just tells you that something is.
This space is beneath a part of your shoulder blade.
Speed’s Test
Speed’s test is a special test meant to identifytendonitisin your bicep.
The bicep muscle has two tendons that connect it to the shoulder bone.
It also has one to connect it with the radius bone in your forearm.
Overuse from activities like golf, tennis, and weight-lifting can cause tiny tears in these tendons.
This often leads to tendonitis.
With your palm face-up, the provider will then push your arm down while you actively resist the force.
This may mean that you have biceps tendonitis.
Speed’s test is used to diagnose biceps tendonitis.
However, research suggests the test only finds about 63% of such cases.
It also delivers a high rate of false-positive results.
An apprehension test may be used if your healthcare provider thinks it may be the cause of your pain.
The test is performed as you lie face-up on an exam table.
Your healthcare provider extends your arm straight out off of the table.
They then bend your elbow by 90 degrees.
In this pose, you’ll look a bit like someone showing off their biceps.
The provider uses one hand to keep the shoulder still.
They then gently pull your forearm toward the floor.
This is called external rotation of the shoulder.
You should then feel like the joint is in the right place.
Your provider takes hold of your wrist or elbow, then pulls the arm down.
It is found on the top part of your shoulder.
Separation of this AC joint can happen due tosports injury, auto accident, or other trauma.
They then push their hands together to compress the AC joint.
If you experience pain, then the test is positive and an injury to the AC joint is suspected.
Hawkins-Kennedy Test
The Hawkins-Kennedy test is another test for shoulder impingement.
Your healthcare provider raises your arm with your elbow bent about 90 degrees.
Pain in the shoulder points to a rotator cuff, bursa, or other structure that’s getting pinched.
They then drop your arm (hence the name of the test).
This means that you might have a rotator cuff tear in your shoulder.
It is simple to perform.
From this position, your healthcare provider will gently push on your arm.
Pain or weakness indicates a positive test for a possible supraspinatus tear or problem.
Usually, the pain happens when you lift your arm up or out to the side.
There are no diagnostic tests for frozen shoulder.
You’ll reach your hand around to rest on your lower back with your palm facing out.
You’ll next attempt to move your hand away from your back.
The provider may push your hand back to see how you handle the resistance.
Crank Test
The Crank test is used to identify alabral tear.
This is a common injury in athletes who perform repetitive motions.
Your healthcare provider will hold your arm and bend your elbow 90 degrees.
With one hand on your shoulder, they will grasp your elbow and rotate the arm back and forth.
This test is positive if it causes pain or any odd clicking or clunking sounds in the shoulder.
Teres Minor Test
This test evaluates theteresminor tendon, one of the major shoulder tendons.
Your healthcare provider will ask you to put your arms down by your side.
With your elbows bent, you will move your hand backwards while the provider pushes back for resistance.
Any pain or weakness suggests a teres minor injury.
Summary
Specific tests for shoulder pain are used to pinpoint the exact cause among many possibilities.
Other tests, like X-rays or an MRI, may help to confirm a diagnosis.
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