Survey on Knowledge, Use, and Diagnostic Applicability of Special Tests for Rotator Cuff Involvement in Clinical Practice
# Background Recently, researchers have commented that shoulder special tests cannot identify the structure causing rotator cuff symptoms and should only be considered pain provocation tests. Others have disagreed, reporting that special tests were able to accurately detect the presence of rotator...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
North American Sports Medicine Institute
2023-02-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.67934 |
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| _version_ | 1823857559052746752 |
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| author | Steven W. Forbush William D. Bandy Gabrielle L. Back-Kremers Mollie Renfroe Haley F. Downey |
| author_facet | Steven W. Forbush William D. Bandy Gabrielle L. Back-Kremers Mollie Renfroe Haley F. Downey |
| author_sort | Steven W. Forbush |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | # Background
Recently, researchers have commented that shoulder special tests cannot identify the structure causing rotator cuff symptoms and should only be considered pain provocation tests. Others have disagreed, reporting that special tests were able to accurately detect the presence of rotator cuff involvement.
# Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, use, and perceived effectiveness of 15 selected special tests utilized to examine patients with possible rotator cuff dysfunction.
# Study Design
Descriptive study using survey.
# Methods
An electronic survey was returned by 346 members of the Academies of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy through list serves. Descriptions and pictures for 15 special tests of the shoulder were included in the survey. Information regarding years of clinical experience and American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) specialist certification in Sports or Orthopedics was collected. Respondents were asked if they could *identify* and *use* the special tests to evaluate dysfunction of the rotator cuff - and how confident they were in ability of the tests to *diagnose* dysfunction of the rotator cuff.
# Results
The four tests most readily *known* by respondents included the empty can, drop arm, full can, and Gerber's tests, and the four tests *used* regularly by the respondents included the infraspinatus, full can, supraspinatus, and champagne toast tests. The infraspinatus, champagne toast, external rotation lag (ERLS), and the belly-off tests were found to be the be most useful for establishing a *diagnosis* of the muscle-tendon complex involved. Years of experience and clinical specialization was not relevant to knowledge or use or these tests.
# Conclusions
This study will allow clinicians and educators to understand which special tests are easily identified, regularly used, and perceived as helpful for the diagnosis of muscles involved in a rotator cuff dysfunction.
# Level of Evidence
3b |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-411c13e3d8c0490789e7bb35dd283aaf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2159-2896 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | North American Sports Medicine Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-411c13e3d8c0490789e7bb35dd283aaf2025-02-11T20:28:24ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962023-02-01181Survey on Knowledge, Use, and Diagnostic Applicability of Special Tests for Rotator Cuff Involvement in Clinical PracticeSteven W. ForbushWilliam D. BandyGabrielle L. Back-KremersMollie RenfroeHaley F. Downey# Background Recently, researchers have commented that shoulder special tests cannot identify the structure causing rotator cuff symptoms and should only be considered pain provocation tests. Others have disagreed, reporting that special tests were able to accurately detect the presence of rotator cuff involvement. # Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, use, and perceived effectiveness of 15 selected special tests utilized to examine patients with possible rotator cuff dysfunction. # Study Design Descriptive study using survey. # Methods An electronic survey was returned by 346 members of the Academies of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy through list serves. Descriptions and pictures for 15 special tests of the shoulder were included in the survey. Information regarding years of clinical experience and American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) specialist certification in Sports or Orthopedics was collected. Respondents were asked if they could *identify* and *use* the special tests to evaluate dysfunction of the rotator cuff - and how confident they were in ability of the tests to *diagnose* dysfunction of the rotator cuff. # Results The four tests most readily *known* by respondents included the empty can, drop arm, full can, and Gerber's tests, and the four tests *used* regularly by the respondents included the infraspinatus, full can, supraspinatus, and champagne toast tests. The infraspinatus, champagne toast, external rotation lag (ERLS), and the belly-off tests were found to be the be most useful for establishing a *diagnosis* of the muscle-tendon complex involved. Years of experience and clinical specialization was not relevant to knowledge or use or these tests. # Conclusions This study will allow clinicians and educators to understand which special tests are easily identified, regularly used, and perceived as helpful for the diagnosis of muscles involved in a rotator cuff dysfunction. # Level of Evidence 3bhttps://doi.org/10.26603/001c.67934 |
| spellingShingle | Steven W. Forbush William D. Bandy Gabrielle L. Back-Kremers Mollie Renfroe Haley F. Downey Survey on Knowledge, Use, and Diagnostic Applicability of Special Tests for Rotator Cuff Involvement in Clinical Practice International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| title | Survey on Knowledge, Use, and Diagnostic Applicability of Special Tests for Rotator Cuff Involvement in Clinical Practice |
| title_full | Survey on Knowledge, Use, and Diagnostic Applicability of Special Tests for Rotator Cuff Involvement in Clinical Practice |
| title_fullStr | Survey on Knowledge, Use, and Diagnostic Applicability of Special Tests for Rotator Cuff Involvement in Clinical Practice |
| title_full_unstemmed | Survey on Knowledge, Use, and Diagnostic Applicability of Special Tests for Rotator Cuff Involvement in Clinical Practice |
| title_short | Survey on Knowledge, Use, and Diagnostic Applicability of Special Tests for Rotator Cuff Involvement in Clinical Practice |
| title_sort | survey on knowledge use and diagnostic applicability of special tests for rotator cuff involvement in clinical practice |
| url | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.67934 |
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