Orthopedics Physical Therapy Upper Extremity Special Tests By Laura Inverarity, DO Laura Inverarity, DO Laura Inverarity, PT, DO, is a current board-certified anesthesiologist and former physical therapist. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 23, 2022 Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT LinkedIn Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist with experience in hospital-based acute care and outpatient therapy with both children and adults. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Fact checked by Nick Blackmer LinkedIn Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years’ experience in consumer-oriented health and wellness content. Learn about our editorial process Print If you are having difficulty with using your arms normally due to pain, loss of range of motion (ROM) or decreased strength, you may benefit from physical therapy to help you return to full functional mobility. Your PT may perform an examination of your condition to determine what is wrong and to get started on the right treatment for you. One component of that examination includes performing upper extremity special tests. Special tests are often performed to assist in diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders. There are various special tests, each specific for a certain diagnosis. Disorders of muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments can all be confirmed with a positive finding if the correct special test is performed. This step-by-step program includes three different upper extremity special tests to determine what may be causing your condition. Check in with your healthcare provider, and visit your physical therapist to learn about your particular condition and to maintain optimal mobility and wellness. Yergason's Test Passive Shoulder ROM can be performed by your physical therapist. DNY59 Yergason’s test is a screening tool for diagnosing bicipital tendonitis. Your PT will perform the test as follows: Stabilize your arm against your bodyFlex your elbow to a 90-degree anglePalpate the bicipital tendonHave you supinate (turn your forearm so that your palm is facing up) and externally rotate the arm against resistanceThis test is positive if there you feel pain in the bicipital groove, or the tester feels the tendon slip out of the groove. If Yergason’s test is positive, your therapist can work with you to decrease your pain and improve the way your rotator cuff muscles work to support your shoulder. This typically takes pressure off your biceps tendon and can help treat your condition. Empty Can Test Jobe’s empty can test is a screening tool for tears of the supraspinatus muscle or tendon. Your PT will perform the test as follows: Abduct your arm to 90 degrees and angle the arm forward 30 degrees at the shoulder joint.Have you internally rotate at the shoulder as if pouring a can on the floorResist you in abduction from this position and assess for weakness or painThe test is positive if there is significant pain or weakness on resistance. If you have a positive empty can test, your PT may work with your to attempt to strengthen other supporting muscles to improve the function of your shoulder. Adson's Test Adson’s test is done to assess compression of the subclavian artery. This artery supplies blood to your arm, and compression of the artery may cause loss of feeling in your upper extremity. Your PT will perform the test as follows: Monitor your radial pulse at the wrist while they abduct, extend, and externally rotate the upper extremity at the shoulder joint (keeping the elbow straight)Have you take a deep breath, rotate, and extend their head toward the side being testedThe test is positive if there is a marked decrease or absence of the radial pulse. If you have a positive Adson’s test, you should see your healthcare provider right away to determine the cause of the compression of your artery. If you have any upper extremity difficulty, you should see your healthcare provider, and then get working with your physical therapist to return to optimal function right away. 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Hanchard NC, Lenza M, Handoll HH, Takwoingi Y. Physical tests for shoulder impingements and local lesions of bursa, tendon or labrum that may accompany impingement. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;2013(4):CD007427. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007427.pub2 Phillips N. Tests for diagnosing subacromial impingement syndrome and rotator cuff disease. Shoulder Elbow. 2014;6(3):215-221. doi:10.1177/1758573214535368 Li N, Dierks G, Vervaeke HE, et al. Thoracic outlet syndrome: a narrative review. J Clin Med. 2021;10(5):962. doi:10.3390/jcm10050962 By Laura Inverarity, DO Laura Inverarity, PT, DO, is a current board-certified anesthesiologist and former physical therapist. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit