Drop Arm Test: How to Check for a Rotator Cuff Tear

The Drop Arm Test is a classic special test for the shoulder, used by physiotherapists to assess the integrity of the rotator cuff, specifically looking for a large tear of the supraspinatus tendon. Click the sections below for details on how to perform it.

1. Purpose

The primary purpose of the Drop Arm Test is to **test for** a large or full-thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon, which is a key part of the rotator cuff. It assesses the muscle's ability to control the arm's descent from an abducted position.

2. How to Perform

1. The patient is positioned in sitting or standing.
2. The examiner passively abducts the patient's shoulder to 90 degrees.
3. The examiner removes their supporting hand and instructs the patient to "Hold your arm in this position."
4. The examiner then instructs the patient to "Slowly and smoothly lower your arm back to your side."
5. Optionally, the examiner can gently tap the patient's forearm or wrist while they hold the 90-degree position to check for weakness.

3. Positive & Negative Sign

Positive Sign (Test is POSITIVE):
A positive test is indicated by one or both of the following:

• The patient is unable to hold the arm at 90 degrees of abduction (the arm drops immediately).
• The patient is unable to lower the arm in a slow, controlled manner. The arm will often drop suddenly or lag.

Negative Sign (Test is NEGATIVE):
A negative test is when the patient can hold the arm at 90 degrees and lower it slowly and controllably without the arm dropping.

```