The Drop Arm Test indicates which condition?

The Drop Arm Test indicates which condition?

• A. Bicipital Tendinopathy
• B. Frozen Shoulder
• C. Rotator Cuff Tear
• D. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Answer: (C)

The Drop Arm Test checks the rotator cuff, especially the supraspinatus, by testing whether the shoulder can be held in a raised, abducted position and then lowered smoothly. When the arm is lifted to about 90 degrees, a normal shoulder lowers with controlled, steady movement. If the arm cannot be held in that position or suddenly drops due to weakness or pain, it points to a tear of the rotator cuff, most commonly a full-thickness tear. This test is not about the problems that cause carpal tunnel syndrome, which affect the hand and wrist; nor is it primarily for bicipital tendinopathy, which causes front shoulder tenderness and pain with certain resisted motions; nor does it reflect the global stiffness seen in adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), which limits motion in multiple directions. The drop-and-control failure is characteristic of damage to the rotator cuff’s ability to stabilize the arm during abduction.

The Drop Arm Test checks the rotator cuff, especially the supraspinatus, by testing whether the shoulder can be held in a raised, abducted position and then lowered smoothly. When the arm is lifted to about 90 degrees, a normal shoulder lowers with controlled, steady movement. If the arm cannot be held in that position or suddenly drops due to weakness or pain, it points to a tear of the rotator cuff, most commonly a full-thickness tear.

This test is not about the problems that cause carpal tunnel syndrome, which affect the hand and wrist; nor is it primarily for bicipital tendinopathy, which causes front shoulder tenderness and pain with certain resisted motions; nor does it reflect the global stiffness seen in adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), which limits motion in multiple directions. The drop-and-control failure is characteristic of damage to the rotator cuff’s ability to stabilize the arm during abduction.