A qualitative assessment of shoulder girdle elevation during the upper limb tension test 1

The 'feel through range' and the 'end-feel' of the elbow extension, and the elevation of the shoulder girdle during the upper limb tension test for the median nerve are considered important in clinical decision making. As no objective measurements have been published regarding these parameters, a special device was designed in order to obtain objective information on the force by which the shoulder girdle is elevated during the test. The purpose of this technical note is to describe the technical aspects of the device and its practical application. In a pilot study, five asymptomatic subjects have been assessed. The relationship between the elevation of the shoulder girdle and the range of elbow extension has been analysed. The data of five subjects and representative curves of one subject are presented. All five subjects demonstrate a considerable increase in force elevating the shoulder girdle. The results show that the device can be used to measure the force by which the shoulder girdle is elevated throughout the test. Although the number of subjects and the number of repetitions is limited, the data suggest that the method is accurate and that the phenomenon of shoulder girdle elevation during the upper limb tension test in asymptomatic subjects is consistent.