Understanding the Hawkins-Kennedy Test Assessment
To detect **subacromial impingement syndrome**, specifically involving the supraspinatus tendon or biceps long head tendon.
Watch How It's Done
How do I start?
Patient is sitting or standing. Shoulder is flexed to 90° and elbow is flexed to 90°.
What happens?
The examiner passively **internally rotates the shoulder** while maintaining 90° of flexion.
In Plain English
What Does a Positive Result Mean?
The reproduction of the patient's **pain in the subacromial area** (top/front of the shoulder).
Helpful Tip:
Internal rotation pushes the greater tuberosity against the coracoacromial ligament, narrowing the subacromial space.
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
Apprehension Test (Anterior)
The Apprehension test is generally used to test the integrity of the glenohumeral joint capsule, or to assess glenohumeral instability in an anterior direction.
Jobe's Test (Empty Can Test)
To assess for a tear or pathology of the **Supraspinatus muscle or tendon**.
Sulcus Sign
The sulcus test is used to assess the glenohumeral joint for inferior instability, due to laxity of the superior glenohumeral ligament and coracohumeral ligament.It was first described by Neer and Foster in 1980 to examine multidirectional instability
Yergason's Test
To assess for **pathology of the Long Head of the Biceps tendon** (e.g., instability, tear, or tendinopathy) and its stability in the bicipital groove.