Drop Arm Test: Difference between revisions

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The drop arm test is used to assess for [[Rotator Cuff Tears|rotator cuff tears]], particularly of the [[Supraspinatus tear|supraspinatus]]. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br>  
The drop arm test is used to assess for [[Rotator Cuff Tears|rotator cuff tears]], particularly of the [[Supraspinatus tear|supraspinatus]]. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br>  


&nbsp;[[Image:449px-Rotator_cuff_high.jpg|center|250x250px]]  
&nbsp;[[Image:449px-Rotator cuff high.jpg|center|250x250px]]  


== Test Position  ==
== Test Position  ==
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== Technique<br>  ==
== Technique<br>  ==


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Stand behind the seated patient and abduct patient's arm to 90<sup>0,</sup> supporting the arm at the elbow. Release the elbow support, and ask patient to slowly lower the arm to the side.<ref name="buckup">Klaus Buckup. Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal System: Examinations - Signs - Phenomena. 2nd ed. Germany: Thieme, 2008</ref>  
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| {{#ev:youtube|ZhN1_ZJyUnk|250}} <ref>Physical Therapy Haven. Drop Arm Test. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhN1_ZJyUnk [last accessed 25/05/13]</ref>
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Stand behind the seated patient and abduct patient's arm to 90<sup>0,</sup> supporting the arm at the elbow. Release the elbow support, and ask patient to slowly lower the arm to the side.<ref name="buckup">Klaus Buckup. Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal System: Examinations - Signs - Phenomena. 2nd ed. Germany: Thieme, 2008</ref>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;{{#ev:youtube|ZhN1_ZJyUnk|250}}


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*The test is negative if the patient is able to control the lowering of the arm slowly and without pain.  
*The test is negative if the patient is able to control the lowering of the arm slowly and without pain.  
*It is positive if there is pain while lowering the arm, sudden dropping of the arm or weakness in maintaining arm position during lowering (with or without pain), suggesting injury to the supraspinatus.<ref name="Eplers">M. Lynn Palmer, Marcia E. Epler, Marcia F. Epler. Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Assessment Techniques. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Wilkins, 1998</ref><ref name="buckup" />
*It is positive if there is pain while lowering the arm, sudden dropping of the arm or weakness in maintaining arm position during lowering (with or without pain), suggesting injury to the supraspinatus.<ref name="Eplers">M. Lynn Palmer, Marcia E. Epler, Marcia F. Epler. Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Assessment Techniques. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Wilkins, 1998</ref><ref name="buckup" />


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Revision as of 20:10, 7 December 2013

Purpose
[edit | edit source]

The drop arm test is used to assess for rotator cuff tears, particularly of the supraspinatus.             

 

449px-Rotator cuff high.jpg

Test Position[edit | edit source]

Sitting or standing


Technique
[edit | edit source]

Stand behind the seated patient and abduct patient's arm to 900, supporting the arm at the elbow. Release the elbow support, and ask patient to slowly lower the arm to the side.[1]


                                                                     


Interpretation[edit | edit source]

  • The test is negative if the patient is able to control the lowering of the arm slowly and without pain.
  • It is positive if there is pain while lowering the arm, sudden dropping of the arm or weakness in maintaining arm position during lowering (with or without pain), suggesting injury to the supraspinatus.[2][1]


Diagnostic Accuracy[edit | edit source]

  • Sensitivity: 7.8;
  • Specificity: 97.2;
  • Likelihood Ratio: +LR: 2.79; -LR: .95 [3]


Evidence[edit | edit source]

A study of 53 patients suspected to have suffered rotator cuff tears compared physical examination tests to their shoulder MRI and ultrasonography results. The study found that the drop arm test had a 100% PPV and 10% sensitivity.[4]


Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]


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References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Klaus Buckup. Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal System: Examinations - Signs - Phenomena. 2nd ed. Germany: Thieme, 2008
  2. M. Lynn Palmer, Marcia E. Epler, Marcia F. Epler. Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Assessment Techniques. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Wilkins, 1998
  3. Calis M, et al. (2000). Diagnostic values of clinical diagnostic tests in subacromial impingement syndrome. Ann Rheum Dis. 59.1. 44-47. Web 10 Dec 2012.
  4. Gerard A. Malanga, Scott Nadler. Musculoskeletal Physical Examination: An Evidence-based Approach. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2006.