Which specific maneuvers can reproduce the pain of bicipital
tendinitis?
Maneuvers that resist the normal function of the biceps
—supination and flexion of the forearm:
Yergason’s test: The hand is pronated, the elbow
flexed to 90 degrees, and the shoulder in adduction
(i.e., arm against the body). With the patient
attempting supination of the forearm (i.e., palm up),
you resist with one hand while with the other you
press on the bicipital tendon. The test is positive
when it elicits pain and tenderness over the bicipital
groove.
Speed’s test: Dr. Speed actually never described this maneuver. It was first reported by Crenshaw and
Kilgore in 1966, quoting “personal communication” as their source. It is performed by having the patient
attempt to flex the affected arm against resistance, after positioning it with elbow extended and forearm
in supination (i.e., palm up). Once again, you resist with one hand while you press with the other on the
bicipital tendon. The test is positive when it elicits pain over the bicipital groove. As validated by
arthroscopy, it has a 14% specificity, 90% sensitivity, 23% positive predictive value, and 83% negative
predictive value.
tendinitis?
Maneuvers that resist the normal function of the biceps
—supination and flexion of the forearm:
Yergason’s test: The hand is pronated, the elbow
flexed to 90 degrees, and the shoulder in adduction
(i.e., arm against the body). With the patient
attempting supination of the forearm (i.e., palm up),
you resist with one hand while with the other you
press on the bicipital tendon. The test is positive
when it elicits pain and tenderness over the bicipital
groove.
Speed’s test: Dr. Speed actually never described this maneuver. It was first reported by Crenshaw and
Kilgore in 1966, quoting “personal communication” as their source. It is performed by having the patient
attempt to flex the affected arm against resistance, after positioning it with elbow extended and forearm
in supination (i.e., palm up). Once again, you resist with one hand while you press with the other on the
bicipital tendon. The test is positive when it elicits pain over the bicipital groove. As validated by
arthroscopy, it has a 14% specificity, 90% sensitivity, 23% positive predictive value, and 83% negative
predictive value.