Clinical Test Encyclopedia
Every assessment has its own page: purpose, anatomy assessed, procedure, interpretation, limitations and research. Diagnostic accuracy values are only shown once verified against the cited systematic reviews—none are invented.
A. Safe self-observations
Things you can notice and record yourself. They describe symptoms—they do not diagnose.
Painful arc self-observation
Notice whether pain appears in a particular part of the range as you lift your arm sideways.
Overhead reach comparison
Compare how far each arm can reach overhead.
Hand-behind-back reach comparison
Track internal rotation (often restricted in frozen shoulder).
Outward-rotation comparison
Check whether the arm can turn outward as far as the other side.
Night pain and sleep-position log
Record whether pain wakes you or occurs lying on the affected side.
Apprehension awareness (do not provoke)
Recognise positions in which the shoulder feels it may slip—without testing them.
B. Clinical orthopaedic tests
Require appropriate training or professional supervision. Shown for education and to help you understand an assessment.
Empty can (Jobe) test
Assess supraspinatus pain and/or weakness.
External rotation lag sign
Screen for a significant tear of infraspinatus/supraspinatus.
Drop arm test
Screen for a large rotator cuff tear.
Hawkins–Kennedy test
Provoke subacromial pain.
Neer test
Provoke subacromial pain with passive elevation.
Painful arc (clinical)
Identify mid-range pain during active abduction.
Apprehension and relocation tests
Assess anterior glenohumeral instability.
Sulcus sign
Assess inferior laxity (multidirectional instability/hypermobility).
O'Brien active compression test
Screen for superior labral (SLAP) or AC joint pathology.
Speed's test
Provoke long-head biceps tendon pain.
Yergason's test
Provoke biceps tendon pain with resisted supination.
Passive external rotation range
Identify the capsular pattern of frozen shoulder.
C. Imaging & investigations
Ordered by doctors when red flags, suspected major tears or failure of rehab justify them.
Current coverage: shoulder. Tests for other regions are scheduled in the Completion Tracker.