Shoulder Impingement: Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction: aka Subacromial impingement

The sensitivity and specificity of findings for Shoulder Impingement are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Poorly Diagnostic Findings

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Hawkins Test	79%	59%	With examiner's hand on scapula to prevent elevation, hold arm parallel to ground with elbow flexed at 90 degrees and internally rotate (i.e. push forearm down). NOTE: odds ratio CI crosses 1! Study: Br J Sports Med. 2008 Feb;42(2):80-92. PMID: 17720798
Neer test	79%	53%	(forward) extension of shoulder with radius down (fully pronated) and examiner's hand placed on shoulder to prevent scapula elevation NOTE: odds ratio CI crosses 1! Study: Br J Sports Med. 2008 Feb;42(2):80-92. PMID: 17720798
Yocum Test	Sensitivity = 78%		specificity not measured Place hand on other shoulder, raise elbow without raising shoulder. Study: Joint Bone Spine. 2008 Dec 5. PMID: 19059801

Findings With Unspecified Accuracy

No accuracy specified.

aka empty-can test.

Study: no study specified.

No accuracy specified.

the two studies that were done completely disagreed (sens/spec = 30/80 in one and 97/10 in the other)

painful arc during lateral arm elevation

Study: Joint Bone Spine. 2008 Dec 5. PMID: 19059801