Clinical tests in shoulder examination: how to perform them

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic medicine
• Sports medicine
• Diagnostic procedures

Background:

• Shoulder injuries are common in athletes and the general population.
• Accurate assessment of shoulder function is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
• Previous reviews have not comprehensively identified the best clinical tests.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and describe the most effective clinical tests for evaluating shoulder function and injury.
• To provide evidence-based guidance for clinicians on optimal diagnostic methods.
• To consolidate information on validated shoulder assessment techniques.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on shoulder function and injury tests.
• Inclusion of studies published in reputable sports medicine journals.
• Synthesis of findings to determine the most reliable and valid tests.

Main Results:

• Identification of a core set of clinical tests demonstrating high diagnostic accuracy for shoulder pathologies.
• Detailed description of the recommended tests for shoulder impingement, rotator cuff tears, and instability.
• Emphasis on tests with strong inter-rater reliability and clinical utility.

Conclusions:

• The described tests represent the current best practices for clinical assessment of shoulder conditions.
• Photographic documentation aids in the precise execution of these diagnostic maneuvers.
• This resource supports evidence-based clinical decision-making in shoulder diagnostics.