Frequency of Use of Clinical Shoulder Examination Tests by Experienced Shoulder Surgeons

Abstract

A small percentage (20%) of clinical tests is being used by most examiners. The 25 most common tests identified from this survey may serve as a foundation for the student's knowledge base, with the clear understanding that multiple clinical tests are used by some of the most experienced clinicians dealing with shoulder injuries.

Clinical Evaluation and Physical Exam Findings in Patients with Anterior Shoulder Instability

“…A study by Sciascia et al that surveyed shoulder and elbow specialists found that providers utilize a wide variety of physical exam maneuvers for diagnosing anterior shoulder instability [38]. However, the apprehension, relocation, load and shift, and anterior drawer tests are each utilized by over 50% of responding surgeons.…”

In the Shoulder or in the Brain? Behavioral, Psychosocial and Cognitive Characteristics of Unilateral Chronic Shoulder Pain with Symptoms of Central Sensitization

“…In chronic shoulder pain (SP), similarly to other chronic musculoskeletal disorders, several studies have confirmed that the extent of tissue damage may not be related to the occurrence or intensity of SP. Therefore, only a diagnosis of structural pathology in people with SP may not provide adequate information for schema therapy in clinical practice [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].…”

Reliability of specific physical examination tests for the diagnosis of shoulder pathologies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Several systematic reviews have evaluated the validity of physical examination tests, concluding that most research is of insufficient methodological quality or that lacks consistently solid measures for validity obtained from studies with higher methodological quality 6–11. Sciascia et al 12 performed a survey among orthopaedic shoulder surgeons and identified that a wide variety of tests were used to evaluate patients with shoulder symptoms 12. Notably, lacking evidence regarding the diagnostic accuracy did not preclude use of the tests in clinical practice 12.…”

“…Sciascia et al 12 performed a survey among orthopaedic shoulder surgeons and identified that a wide variety of tests were used to evaluate patients with shoulder symptoms 12. Notably, lacking evidence regarding the diagnostic accuracy did not preclude use of the tests in clinical practice 12. However, both validity, and reliability is of concern if physical examination tests are applied 13 14.…”