The infraspinatus test is used to identify symptoms of tendonitis or tears of the infraspinatus tendon.
How to Perform Infraspinatus Test
Position of Patient: The patient is standing with arm neutrally rotated, elbow flexed to 90 degrees, and adducted to the trunk.
Performance: The examiner will apply an internal rotation force along the patient’s forearm while the patient resists.
How to Interpret Infraspinatus Test
Positive Finding: The test is considered positive if the patient experiences pain with maneuver or if they cannot resist the internal rotation force. A positive test may support pathology of the infraspinatus tendon.
Test Accuracy / Reliability / Evidence:
Infraspinatus test Sensitivity and Specificity for full thickness tear:
Sensitivity = 0.51
Specificity = 0.84
+LR = 3.2
– LR = 0.58
Source: Silva L, Andreu JL, Munoz P, et al: Accuracy of physical examination in subacromial impingement syndrome. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2008; 47: pp. 679-683
The infraspinatus test is used to identify symptoms of tendonitis or tears of the infraspinatus tendon.
The patient is positioned in standing with arm neutrally rotated, elbow flexed to 90 degrees, and adducted to the trunk.
The examiner will apply an internal rotation force along the patient’s forearm while the patient resists.
The test is considered positive if the patient experiences pain with maneuver or if they cannot resist the internal rotation force. A positive test may support pathology of the infraspinatus tendon.
Other Shoulder Test to consider: Drop Arm Test
