No tests for impingement or acromioclavicular ( AC ) joint pathology demonstrated significant diagnostic accuracy .
Based on pooled data , the diagnostic accuracy of the Neer test for impingement , the Hawkins-Kennedy test for impingement and the Speed test for labral pathology is limited .
Currently , almost without exception , there is a lack of clarity with regard to whether common OSTs used in clinical examination are useful in differentially diagnosing pathologies of the shoulder
OBJECTIVE To compile and critique research on the diagnostic accuracy of individual  orthopaedic physical examination tests in a manner that would allow clinicians to judge whether these tests are valuable to their practice .
Interrater reproducibility of clinical tests for rotator cuff lesions.
BACKGROUND Rotator cuff lesions are common in the community but reproducibility of tests for shoulder assessment has not been adequately appraised and there is no uniform approach to their use . OBJECTIVE To study interrater reproducibility of st and ard tests for shoulder evaluation among a rheumatology specialist , rheumatology trainee , and research nurse . METHODS 136 patients were review ed over 12 months at a major teaching hospital . The three assessors examined each patient in r and om order and were unaware of each other 's evaluation . Each shoulder was examined in a st and ard manner by recognised tests for specific lesions and a diagnostic algorithm was used . Between-observer agreement was determined by calculating Cohen 's kappa coefficients ( measuring agreement beyond that expected by chance ) . RESULTS Fair to substantial agreement was obtained for the observations of tenderness , painful arc , and external rotation . Tests for supraspinatus and subscapularis also showed at least fair agreement between observers . 40/55 ( 73 % ) kappa coefficient assessment s were rated at > 0.2 , indicating at least fair concordance between observers ; 21/55 ( 38 % ) were rated at > 0.4 , indicating at least moderate concordance between observers . CONCLUSION The reproducibility of certain tests , employed by observers of varying experience , in the assessment of the rotator cuff and general shoulder disease was determined . This has implication s for delegation of shoulder assessment to nurse specialists , the development of a simplified evaluation schedule for general practitioners , and uniformity in epidemiological research studies
No tests for impingement or acromioclavicular ( AC ) joint pathology demonstrated significant diagnostic accuracy .
Based on pooled data , the diagnostic accuracy of the Neer test for impingement , the Hawkins-Kennedy test for impingement and the Speed test for labral pathology is limited .
Currently , almost without exception , there is a lack of clarity with regard to whether common OSTs used in clinical examination are useful in differentially diagnosing pathologies of the shoulder
OBJECTIVE To compile and critique research on the diagnostic accuracy of individual  orthopaedic physical examination tests in a manner that would allow clinicians to judge whether these tests are valuable to their practice .