Orthopedic Special Tests

Orthopedic Special Tests are used during a physical examination by clinicians in physical therapy and orthopedics. The tests can be used to rule in or out whether a patient has a certain musculoskeletal problem. They are helpful in diagnosing orthopedic conditions and injuries. Special tests are meant to help guide your physical examination, not be the main source of your information. There are hundreds upon thousands of Special Tests available for physical therapists. We suggest relying primarily on your anatomy and kinesiology and then using special tests to reinforce your findings.

Orthopedic Special Tests for the Shoulder Girdle

• Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Distraction Test – Acromioclavicular joint pathology
• Acromioclavicular (AC) Shear Test – Acromioclavicular joint pathology
• Adson’s Test / Adson’s Maneuver – Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Allen Test – Vascular insufficiency / Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Anterior Drawer Test – Anterior instability
• Anterior Slide Test / Keibler Test – SLAP lesions
• Apley’s Scratch Test – ROM/Rotator cuff pathology
• Apprehension Test – Anterior instability
• Bear Hug Test – Subscapularis integrity
• Brachial Plexus Stretch Test – Cervical facet joint impingement
• Biceps Load Test – Superior glenoid labrum pathology
• Clunk Test – Joint stability/labrum lesion
• Crank Test – Anterior instability
• Cross-Over Impingement Test  – AC joint or rotator cuff pathology
• Drop Arm Test – Rotator cuff pathology
• Empty Can (Supraspinatus) Test – Rotator cuff pathology
• Feagin Test – Inferior joint stability
• French Horn Test  – Rotator cuff pathology
• Fulcrum Test – Anterior instability
• Full Can Test – Supraspinatus pathology
• Gerber’s Lift Off Test  – Rotator cuff (subscapularis integrity)
• Grind Test – Glenoid labrum pathology
• Hawkins Test / Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Test – Rotator cuff pathology
• Hornblower’s Test (Hornblower’s Sign or Patte Test) – Teres minor strength and integrity
• Hyper Extension-Internal Rotation (HERI) Test – Anterior instability
• Jerk Test – Posterior instability
• Jobe Relocation Test – Anterior instability
• Load and Shift Test – Anterior and posterior instability
• Ludington’s Sign – Long head of biceps pathology
• Neer Impingement Test – Rotator cuff pathology
• Norwood Stress Test – Posterior instability
• O’Brien’s Test – Glenoid labrum / AC joint pathology
• Painful Arc Test – Impingement of the supraspinatus tendon and/or subacromial bursa beneath the acromion
• Pectoralis Major Contracture Test – Pectoralis major muscle contracture
• Piano Key Sign / Test – Acromioclavicular joint pathology
• Posterior Apprehension Test – Posterior instability
• Posterior Drawer Test – Posterior instability
• Protzman Test – Anterior instability
• Rockwood Test – Anterior instability
• Roos Test – Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Rowe Test – Anterior instability
• Scarf Test (Cross Arm Adduction Test) – Acromioclavicular joint pathology
• Shoulder Abduction Test – Cervical facet joint impingement
• Speed’s Test / Speed’s Maneuver – Long head of biceps pathology
• Sternoclavicular (SC) Joint Stress Test – Sternoclavicular joint pathology
• Sulcus Sign – Inferior instability
• Ferguson’s Test – Biceps tendon or glenoid labrum
• Yocum’s Test – Rotator cuff pathology

Orthopedic Special Tests for the Elbow

• Cozen’s Test (Lateral Epicondylitis)
• Golfer’s Elbow Test (Medial Epicondylitis)
• Mill’s Test
• Passive Tennis Elbow Test
• Pinch Grip Test
• Tinel’s Sign
• Valgus Stress Test
• Varus Stress Test

Orthopedic Special Tests for the Hip

• Ely’s Test – Hip Flexor Pathology
• FADIR Test – Acetabular Labral Injuries
• Fitzgerald Test – Acetabular Labral Injuries
• Gaenslen’s Test
• Hibb’s Test
• Nachlas Test
• Ober’s Test – Iliotibial Band Syndrome
• Ortolani Click
• Patrick’s Test (FABER Test) – Femoroacetabular Impingement, Acetabular Labral Injuries
• Pelvic Rock Test
• Scour Test – Femoroacetabular Impingement, Acetabular Labral Injuries
• Stinchfield Test (Resisted Straight Leg Raise) – Femoroacetabular Impingement
• Telescoping Sign
• Thomas’ Test – Acetabular Labral Injuries, Hip Flexor Pathology
• Trendelenburg Test / Trendelenburg Sign
• Yeoman’s Test

Orthopedic Special Tests for the Knee

• Anterior Drawer Test – Ligamentous stability of ACL
• Bounce Home Test – Meniscus pathology
• Apley’s Test – Meniscus pathology
• Apprehension Sign
• Lachman Test – Ligamentous stability of ACL
• McMurray’s Test – Meniscal tear or pathology
• Noble Compression Test
• O’Donoghue’s Test – Meniscus pathology
• Patellar Grind Test
• Pivot Shift Test – Ligamentous stability of ACL
• Posterior Drawer Test – Ligamentous stability
• Posterior Tibial Sag – Ligamentous stability
• Slocum’s ALRI Test – Ligamentous stability
• Thessaly Test – Meniscal tear / lesion
• Valgus Stress Test – Ligamentous stability
• Varus Stress Test – Ligamentous stability

Tests for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)

(Sometimes known as Chondromalacia Patella, Jumpers Knee, or Runners Knee)

• Clarke’s Sign
• Frund’s Sign
• Lateral Pull Test
• McConnell Test
• Passive Patellar Tilt Test
• Waldron Test
• Zohler’s Sign

Orthopedic Special Tests for the Ankle

• Anterior Drawer Test
• Compression Test
• Eversion Stress Test
• Eversion Talar Tilt Test
• Feiss’ Line Test
• Heel Tap Test
• Homan’s Sign Test
• Inversion Stress Test
• Inversion Talar Tilt Test
• Kleiger’s Test (External Rotation Test)
• Thompson’s Squeeze Test – for Achilles tendon rupture
• Tibial Torsion Test

References

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