Passive Distraction Test

Execution:

  1. The patient is in supine lying position at the edge of the table
  2. The patient’s arm is elevated to 150° in the coronal plane with the elbow in extension and the forearm in supination
  3. The patient’s shoulder is stabilized distal to joint to prevent humeral rotation
  4. Then the examiner gently pronates the patient’s forearm

 

Positive Outcome: Patient experiences pain deep in the glenohumeral joint either anteriorly or posteriorly

Study Reliability Sn Sp LR+ LR-
Schlechter et al. (2009) NA 53 94 8.83 0.5
Comment: A positive test moderately alters the post-test probability of having a SLAP lesion.