Special Tests for Shoulder Injury – Expert Diagnosis at Physio360 Chennai.

INTRODUCTION;

The shoulder is one of the most mobile and complex joints in the body. While its wide range of motion allows you to throw, lift, push, and rotate, it also makes the shoulder prone to injuries. Whether it's due to sports, poor posture, overuse, or trauma, shoulder pain can significantly disrupt daily life. But how do physiotherapists find out exactly what's wrong? That’s where special tests for shoulder injury come into play. At Physio360, Chennai’s trusted physiotherapy centre, we use a variety of shoulder tests to diagnose the root cause and offer you the best treatment for fast recovery.

Why Are Special Tests Crucial for Shoulder Diagnosis?

Shoulder pain can be caused by issues in muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments, nerves, or even the cervical spine. To properly identify the problem and avoid unnecessary scans or surgeries, Physio360 physiotherapists use well-established clinical tests. These tests help us to:

• Detect rotator cuff tears

• Identify shoulder impingement or instability

• Assess labral injuries

• Rule out frozen shoulder or referred pain

• Customize a precise rehab plan

  
  

💪 Top Special Tests Used at Physio360 for Shoulder Injuries

1. Neer’s Test – For Shoulder Impingement

Your therapist raises your arm while stabilizing your shoulder blade. Pain during this motion suggests subacromial impingement—a common issue in desk workers and athletes.

✅ A go-to test at Physio360 for clients with overhead pain or nighttime shoulder aches.

2. Hawkins-Kennedy Test – Another for Impingement

This test involves flexing the arm and rotating it inward. Sharp pain is a sign of rotator cuff tendon impingement.

🏋️ Perfect for diagnosing issues in gym-goers and badminton players at Physio360 Sports Centre.

3. Empty Can Test (Jobe’s Test) – For Supraspinatus Tear

The arm is raised and turned as if pouring out a can. Resistance is applied. Weakness or pain points to a supraspinatus tendon injury, part of the rotator cuff.

🎯 Widely used at Physio360 Chennai for patients with lifting difficulty or shoulder weakness.

4. Drop Arm Test – Detects Rotator Cuff Tears

Your therapist raises your arm and asks you to lower it slowly. Inability to control the descent = rotator cuff tear.

🚨 Quick and simple test used in early diagnosis at Physio360 for rotator-related shoulder pain.

5. Speed’s Test – For Biceps Tendon Injury

Your arm is held straight out with the palm up. Resistance is applied while lifting. Pain = bicipital tendinitis or tear.

🏃 Common in tennis players and weightlifters—frequently assessed at Physio360 Sports Injury Clinic.

6. Yergason’s Test – Also for Biceps Tendon & Labrum

With your elbow bent, you attempt to turn your palm up while the therapist resists. Pain at the front of the shoulder suggests biceps tendon pathology or labral injury.

🩺 Used by Physio360 therapists to distinguish between labral issues and muscle strain.

7. Apprehension Test – For Shoulder Instability

The shoulder is brought into an externally rotated position. If you feel nervous or sense it might pop out, this suggests anterior shoulder instability.

⚠️ A must-do test at Physio360 for post-dislocation patients or athletes with unstable shoulders.

8. Sulcus Sign Test – For Shoulder Laxity

Downward pressure is applied to the arm while relaxed. A visible dip (sulcus) below the acromion indicates multidirectional instability.

🛡️ Helpful in diagnosing chronic dislocators and dancers who report “looseness” in their shoulders.

9. O'Brien's Test – For Labral Tear (SLAP lesion)

The arm is flexed and internally rotated. Pain when pushing down = possible SLAP tear.

💼 Often done at Physio360 for patients with clicking, popping, or deep shoulder pain during activity.

10. Lift-Off Test – For Subscapularis Muscle

You place your hand behind your back and try to lift it away. Difficulty? That’s a sign of subscapularis muscle weakness or a tear.

🔧 Used at Physio360 to target strengthening exercises for rotator cuff rehab.

What Happens After These Tests at Physio360?

At Physio360, your shoulder evaluation doesn’t end with a test. After identifying the cause, our experienced physiotherapists:

✔️ Explain your condition in simple terms

✔️ Use manual therapy, dry needling, cupping, or taping if needed

✔️ Prescribe customized shoulder mobility and strengthening exercises

✔️ Track your recovery through periodic reassessments

Whether your pain is from shoulder impingement, rotator cuff tear, labral injury, frozen shoulder, or instability, Physio360 is equipped to provide the best physiotherapy near you in Chennai.

Why Choose Physio360 for Shoulder Injury?

• Expert diagnosis by Dr. Sakthi Vinayagam and team

• Advanced rehab tools like therabands, resistance pulleys, dry needling & ultrasound

• Flexible appointments, even on weekends

• Multiple branches across Chennai – find one near you

• Affordable and transparent pricing

• Trusted by athletes, dancers, IT professionals, and senior citizens

  
  

Final Takeaway.

Shoulder injuries can be tricky to diagnose without proper clinical testing. At Physio360 Chennai, our skilled physiotherapists use a comprehensive set of special shoulder tests to accurately pinpoint your pain source. Once we know what’s wrong, we help you fix it—without surgery, and with long-term results.

✨ Book an appointment today with Physio360 and get your shoulder moving pain-free again.

REFERENCE AND RESEARCH ARTICLE ;

1.A PROPOSED EVIDENCE-BASED SHOULDER SPECIAL TESTING EXAMINATION ALGORITHM: CLINICAL UTILITY BASED ON A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATUREhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3812837/.

2.The Diagnostic Accuracy of Special Tests for Rotator Cuff Tear: The ROW Cohort Studyhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5218987/.