Subtitle: Special Tests for Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. It helps to stabilize the shoulder joint and enables the arm to move in certain directions. Pain in the shoulder can be caused by an injury to the rotator cuff, and it is important to diagnose the condition correctly. Two special tests are used to assess the rotator cuff: the Empty Can Test and the External Rotation Test.
Empty Can Test
The Empty Can Test is used to assess the supraspinatus muscle, which is one of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff. To perform the test, the patient stands with their arm at their side and elbow bent to 90 degrees. The palm of the hand is facing the body, and the patient is asked to lift their arm, as if they are picking up an empty can. If the patient is unable to lift their arm in this way, it may indicate that the supraspinatus muscle is weak or injured.
External Rotation Test
The External Rotation Test is used to assess the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles, which are also part of the rotator cuff. To perform the test, the patient stands with their arm at their side and elbow bent to 90 degrees. The palm of the hand is facing away from the body, and the patient is asked to lift their arm, as if they are turning a doorknob. If the patient is unable to lift their arm in this way, it may indicate that the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles are weak or injured.
Both the Empty Can Test and the External Rotation Test are special tests that can be used to assess the rotator cuff. However, they should not be used as the sole method for diagnosing a shoulder injury, and should be combined with other tests such as an X-ray or MRI scan.