Understanding the Crank Test Assessment
To assess for a tear in the **glenoid labrum** (especially superior labral lesions) or generalized instability.
Watch How It's Done
How do I start?
Patient is supine. Shoulder is elevated to 160° in the scapular plane, and the elbow is flexed to 90°.
What happens?
Patient is sitting upright with the arm flexed to 90°, the examiner stands adjacent to the affected shoulde forearmr holding the flexed elbow or forearm. Joint load is applied along the axis of the humerus with one hand while the other hand performs humeral rotation while the shoulder is being elevated in the scapular plane. The test can be repeated in supine. A positive test is indicated during the maneuver (usually during external rotation) if there is reproduction of symptoms (usually pain) with or without a click.
In Plain English
What Does a Positive Result Mean?
The reproduction of pain, or a **clicking/clunking sensation** within the shoulder during the rotation/axial load, which suggests labral damage.
Helpful Tip:
The axial load is crucial as it compresses the humeral head against the glenoid labrum.
Safety First
This guide is to help you understand what happens in a clinic. Do not try to diagnose yourself. If you have severe pain, swelling, or cannot put weight on your leg, please visit an urgent care center or your doctor immediately.
Other shoulder Tests
Adson's Test
To assess for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) due to compression of the neurovascular bundle by the anterior and middle scalene muscles.
Anterior Drawer Test Of The Shoulder
To assess for anterior glenohumeral joint laxity and instability and the integrity of the anterior capsular structures.
Arm Squeeze Test
This is a new clinical test that may be useful to distinguish between Cervical radiculopathy from other shoulders related pathology. The anatomic reasoning behind this test is that because the musculocutaneous nerve (cervical root from C5 to C7), the radial nerve (from C5 to T1), the ulnar nerve (from C7 to T1), and the median nerve (from C5 to T1) are relatively superficial in the middle third of the arm and easy to elicit a painful provocation response by squeezing the arm. A moderate compression of skin, subcutis, and muscle by squeezing the middle third of the upper arm (brachial biceps and triceps area) on the side with shoulder pain elicits an intense reaction of local pain only in patients with cervical nerve root compression from C5 to T1, not when the pain arises from the shoulder.
Bear Hug Test
To assess for a tear or significant weakness in the **subscapularis tendon** (subscapularis strength).