What is the test for infraspinatus muscle pain?

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From the Research

Infraspinatus Muscle Pain Test

The test for infraspinatus muscle pain is not directly stated in the provided studies. However, some studies mention tests that can be used to diagnose rotator cuff tears or subacromial impingement, which may be related to infraspinatus muscle pain.

  • The Jobe test, external rotation lag sign, and Hawkins-Kennedy test are mentioned in the study 1 as tests that can be used to diagnose posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, which may involve the infraspinatus muscle.
  • The Neer test, Hawkins-Kennedy test, painful arc test, empty can test, and external rotation resistance test are mentioned in the study 2 as tests that can be used to diagnose subacromial impingement syndrome, which may also be related to infraspinatus muscle pain.
  • The study 3 mentions that experimental subacromial pain can elicit a decline in force and voluntary activation of the infraspinatus muscle, but it does not provide a specific test for diagnosing infraspinatus muscle pain.

Diagnostic Tests for Related Conditions

Some studies provide information on diagnostic tests for related conditions, such as:

  • Subacromial impingement syndrome: The study 2 found that the painful arc test, empty can test, and external rotation resistance test had a positive likelihood ratio greater than or equal to 2.0, indicating that they may be useful for confirming the diagnosis of subacromial impingement syndrome.
  • Posterosuperior rotator cuff tears: The study 1 found that the Jobe test had the highest pooled sensitivity for diagnosing posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, while the drop arm sign had the best pooled specificity.
  • Femoroacetabular impingement: The study 4 found that the IROP test, impingement sign, and FABER test had the most sensitive values for identifying femoroacetabular impingement.

Note that these tests may not be specific to infraspinatus muscle pain, but rather to related conditions that may involve the infraspinatus muscle.

References

Research

Reliable diagnosis of posterosuperior rotator cuff tears requires a combination of clinical tests.

Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA, 2021

Research

Physical examination tests for the diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement. A systematic review.

Physical therapy in sport : official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine, 2016

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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