The Adson’s test is used to identify the presence of thoracic outlet syndrome.
How to Perform Adson’s Test
Position of Patient: Patient is sitting or standing with arm fully extended at side.
Performance: The examiner will stand at the side of the patient palpating the radial pulse on the arm being tested. Instruct the patient to extend their neck and rotate their head toward the arm you are holding. Ask the patient to take a breath and hold it while monitoring the radial pulse for changes.
How to Interpret Adson’s Test
Positive Finding: The test is considered positive if the radial pulse changes, decreases, or become completely absent on the tested side. The examiner should compare the pulse to the opposite arm as a reference.
Test Accuracy / Reliability / Evidence:
Sensitivity = 0.79
Specificity = 0.76
Source: Gillard J, Perez-Cousin M, Hachulla E, et al. Diagnosing thoracic outlet syndrome: Contribution of provocation tests, ultrasonography, electrophysiology, and helical computed tomography in 48 patients. Joint Bone Spine 2001;68:416-24.
The Adson’s test is used to identify the presence of thoracic outlet syndrome. Position the patient in sitting or standing with arm fully extended at side.
The examiner will stand at the side of the patient palpating the radial pulse on the arm being tested. Instruct the patient to extend their neck and rotate their head toward the arm you are holding. Ask the patient to take a breath and hold it while monitoring the radial pulse for changes.
The Adson’s test is considered positive if the radial pulse changes, decreases, or become completely absent on the tested side. The examiner should compare the pulse to the opposite arm as a reference.
