How do you examine for shoulder impingement?
(1) By palpating the subacromial space (which elicits pain in patients with bursitis/tendinitis), and (2) by
assessing the shoulder girdle muscles, especially during external/internal rotation and abduction. Supraspinatus problems can be identified by the empty can test, also described by Jobe, and so named because the patient’s position is similar to that assumed when emptying a can. To carry this out, have the patients (1) abduct the shoulder to 90 degrees and forward flex it at 30 degrees and (2) fully rotate the upper extremity (so that the thumbs are pointing toward the floor).
While they do so, instruct them to forward flex the shoulder while you are applying resistance from
behind. Patients with supraspinatus tendinitis or partial injury to the tendon will experience pain. Those with a partial- or full-thickness tear will be instead unable to achieve any forward flexion.
(1) By palpating the subacromial space (which elicits pain in patients with bursitis/tendinitis), and (2) by
assessing the shoulder girdle muscles, especially during external/internal rotation and abduction. Supraspinatus problems can be identified by the empty can test, also described by Jobe, and so named because the patient’s position is similar to that assumed when emptying a can. To carry this out, have the patients (1) abduct the shoulder to 90 degrees and forward flex it at 30 degrees and (2) fully rotate the upper extremity (so that the thumbs are pointing toward the floor).
While they do so, instruct them to forward flex the shoulder while you are applying resistance from
behind. Patients with supraspinatus tendinitis or partial injury to the tendon will experience pain. Those with a partial- or full-thickness tear will be instead unable to achieve any forward flexion.