Which test is commonly used to screen for rotator cuff tears?

Prepare for the APEA Management Orthopedics Test using flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations for effective learning. Gear up for your test now!

Multiple Choice

Which test is commonly used to screen for rotator cuff tears?

Explanation:
The test that screens for rotator cuff tears targets the supraspinatus tendon. In the empty can test, the arm is raised about 90 degrees in the scapular plane with the shoulder internally rotated (thumb pointing downward). The patient then resists downward pressure. Pain or weakness during this resisted movement points to supraspinatus pathology, making it a commonly used screening maneuver for rotator cuff tears. For context, the other tests assess different problems: the Lachman test checks ACL stability, the McMurray test looks for meniscal tears, and the Finkelstein test evaluates de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.

The test that screens for rotator cuff tears targets the supraspinatus tendon. In the empty can test, the arm is raised about 90 degrees in the scapular plane with the shoulder internally rotated (thumb pointing downward). The patient then resists downward pressure. Pain or weakness during this resisted movement points to supraspinatus pathology, making it a commonly used screening maneuver for rotator cuff tears.

For context, the other tests assess different problems: the Lachman test checks ACL stability, the McMurray test looks for meniscal tears, and the Finkelstein test evaluates de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.

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