Special tests for the rotator cuff. Shoulder Impingement Testing Cluster, Infraspinatus Strength Test, Painful Arc Test, Drop Arm Test, and the Supine Impingement Test (screening tool). The reliability, specificity, sensitivity, validity, safety, and screening for shoulder pain, rotator cuff (supraspinatus) tears, and shoulder impingement.
Special tests for the rotator cuff. Shoulder Impingement Testing Cluster, Infraspinatus Strength Test, Painful Arc Test, Drop Arm Test, and the Supine Impingement Test (screening tool). The reliability, specificity, sensitivity, validity, safety, and screening for shoulder pain, rotator cuff (supraspinatus) tears, and shoulder impingement.
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Rotator cuff pathology may be chronic, result from trauma, or may occur in conjunction with other diagnoses. For example, chronic rotator cuff pathology may be the result of biceps brachii and subscapularis tendonitis, or supraspinatus tendinopathy in conjunction with shoulder impingement syndrome. Both of these examples may be the result of scapula (shoulder blade) dyskinesis, which is likely to increase stress on the rotator cuff muscles during elevation of the upper arm. Acute trauma such as strains, rotator cuff tears, and shoulder dislocations (resulting in multiple tears) may occur during overhand throwing, falling on an outstretched arm, and/or direct impact on the arm or shoulder. Clinical professionals (physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) should be aware of the signs and symptoms of rotator cuff injury and the special tests (clinical tests) that may aid in diagnosing and screening patients and clients. Although some rotator cuff tears may require surgery to optimally regain function, partial tears are most often best treated with exercise and interventions intended to improve lower cervical and thoracic mobility, scapular (shoulder blade) dyskinesis, and shoulder stabilization and strengthening.
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