Q: What will I know after my examination?

A lot of things just happened in a short amount of time in that examination of your shoulder. So what does it all mean? If during your examination it was found that there is limitations in your range of motion, weakness and/or pain is present with empty can and external rotation testing, and pain is present with Neer sign and Hawkins-Kennedy, with a painful arc; it is likely that SIS is present. (1,2) If these signs and symptoms are not present or are inconclusive further evaluation and testing should be performed. If SIS is suspected and confirmed then a course of physical therapy treatment will commence; refer to “What Should PT consist of?” blog.

1. Park HB, Yokota A, Gill HS, et al. Diagnostic Accuracy of Clinical Tests for the Different Degrees of Subacromial Impingment Syndrome. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. July 2005; 87-A; 7; 1446-1455
2. Michener LA, Walsworth MK, Doukas WC, et al. Reliability and Diagnostic Accuracy of 5 Phyiscal Examination Test and Combination Tests for Subacromial Impingement. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2009; 90.