The painful arc test is a clinical examination technique used to assess shoulder pain, specifically by observing when pain occurs during arm abduction.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
During the painful arc test, the patient, either sitting or standing, is instructed to abduct (raise) their arm in the scapular plane (approximately 30-45 degrees forward of the coronal plane). The examiner observes when the patient experiences pain throughout the range of motion.
- Positive Result: A positive test is indicated by pain occurring within a specific range of abduction, typically between 60 and 120 degrees. This range suggests potential impingement of structures within the shoulder joint, such as the rotator cuff tendons or the subacromial bursa. Pain at the very end of the range of motion is less indicative of impingement and may suggest acromioclavicular joint issues.
- Technique: The patient actively abducts their arm and reports the onset and location of pain to the physiotherapist or examiner.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Patient Position | Sitting or Standing |
| Action | Abduction of the arm in the scapular plane |
| Positive Sign | Pain within a specific range (typically 60-120 degrees) of abduction, suggesting possible impingement or other shoulder pathology. |
| Indication | Shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendinopathy, subacromial bursitis, or other conditions affecting the shoulder joint. End range pain often indicates AC joint pathology. |
The painful arc test, while useful, should be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical findings and special tests to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
