Drop Arm Test of shoulder

• This test is also known as the Codman’s test.
• This test is applied in the clinic to check the rotator cuff tears.
• This test is a clinical test that is applied in examining part of the assessment.

Purpose of Drop Arm Test :

• This test is used to assess the full thickness of rotator cuff tears, mostly of the supraspinatus.
• This test is also useful for diagnosing sub-acromial pain syndrome means shoulder impingement.
• This test is also used to differentiate between shoulder & rotator cuff pathologies.

The technique of Drop Arm Test

• Patient position of the test is standing.
• The examiner stands behind to patient.
• Then passively abduct the patient’s arm to 90′ & full external rotation means lateral rotation, during this time supporting the arm at the elbow.
• Then Release the elbow support & ask the patient for doing the slowly lower the arm try to return in neutral.

Interpretation of Drop Arm Test :

• This test is negative when the patient can control the lowering of the arm slowly & without any symptoms.
• This test is positive when the arm is suddenly dropping / weakly into the arm position during the eccentric part of the abduction.
• It the pain present while lowering the arm, it indicates a suggesting the full thickness tear of the supraspinatus muscle.
• A positive test is indicated a tear in the rotator cuff complex.
• A complete tear means 3′ strain of the rotator cuff is more common in older patients like as 50 – years -old or older.
• In younger people, a patient tear means 1′ or 2′ strain is more likely.

Sensitivity / Specificity of Drop Arm Test :

• Sensitivity of Drop Arm Test for supraspinatus tear =73%
• Specificity of Drop Arm Test for supraspinatus tear = 77%
• Likelihood Ratio of Drop Arm Test for supraspinatus tear = 6.45

Evidence of Drop Arm Test :

• It is unclear test if to full thickness of rotator cuff tear which is diagnosed by to use of any of the cluster of the lag signs, & let alone solely the drop arm sign.

• All the lag sign tests for the rotator cuff integrity which is show the specificity = high but sensitivity = low.

• It is recommended to the use of cluster of the tests into order of to assess of the full capacity of rotator cuff which is lessen waiting times & costs for radio graphic imaging like as US / MRI