The Rotator Cuff Tears Diagnosis and Test
Many people who play sports can injure themselves. Sports like football will leave players at risk of developing trauma to their shoulder. This injury can also happen over time and cause gradual degeneration according to here, people who injure themselves in contact sports, who do jobs that require the constant lifting arms over their head experience torn rotator cuff. People who are older, painters, weight lifters are typical candidates at risk. When a small tear happens, it typically can get worse. Clicking sound, stiffness, pain and swelling are the tell-tale symptoms of torn rotator cuff. The end result is not always surgery. Therapy alone can improve symptoms a great deal or it can completely heal it. Before therapy, an evaluation will take place to see the extent of how bad the injury is.
Six tests make up the evaluation of the rotator cuff tears tests. There is the, “Jobe empty can test” and this will assess the strength of the supraspinatus. The doctor will begin to apply downward pressure to the arm and if patient has any pain or unusual weakness- it means they have a tear. This test has a high accuracy in detection of tears.
The next test is called, “The shoulder drop arm test”. The patient sits down and is asked to rise his or her arm to a 90 degree angle. They are then asked to lower the arm down. If patients are not able to lower the arm in a controlled manner, then the test is positive for a tear.
The next test is called the “Shoulder shrug test”. If the patient is not able to lift arm without raising the shoulders for support, the test is positive. A shrug or elevation of the upper body is always a clear sign of injury.
The next test is “The lift off test”. This test is a very popular test used and also known as the Gerber test. Patient is told to place the back of their hands on their back and asked to lift hand back and away from their body. If this is difficult to do, it may indicate a tear.
The next test is called, “The Billy press test” (abdominal compression test). In this test, patient would place hand on abdomen while examiner slides hand right under the patient’s hand. The examiner pushes towards the ceiling while patient has to resist pressure and push back towards abdomen. If patient can’t apply pressure back or have a hard time pushing hand, this usually will signal a tear.
The last test is called the Neers test. This is where the patient is either sitting or standing while the examiner passively rotates patients arm in an elevated scapular type of motion. If patient has any pain during the arm rotation, this usually will mean they have a tear. This test was named after the doctor who created this test. Knowing when you have a tear and seeking proper therapy can help improve your condition and even heal a tear.