Yergason's Test: How to Check for Biceps Tendinopathy

Yergason's Test is a key special test for the shoulder, used by physiotherapists to assess the long head of the biceps tendon and the integrity of the transverse humeral ligament. Click the sections below for details on how to perform it and what the results mean.

1. Purpose

The primary purpose of Yergason's Test is to **test for** two main conditions:

1. The stability of the long head of the biceps (LHB) tendon within the bicipital groove (which checks the integrity of the transverse humeral ligament).
2. The presence of bicipital tendinopathy or tendinitis.

2. How to Perform

1. The patient is positioned in sitting or standing.
2. The examiner flexes the patient's elbow to 90 degrees, with the forearm in a pronated (palm down) position.
3. The examiner stabilizes the patient's elbow/humerus against their body with one hand.
4. The examiner places their other hand on the patient's distal forearm or wrist.
5. The examiner instructs the patient to supinate their forearm (turn palm up) and externally rotate their shoulder while the examiner applies resistance.

3. Positive & Negative Sign

Positive Sign (Test is POSITIVE):
A positive test (indicating an issue) is one or both of the following:

• Pain reproduced in the bicipital groove (anterior shoulder). This suggests bicipital tendinopathy.
• A palpable or audible "pop" or "click" as the tendon subluxes out of the groove. This suggests a tear of the transverse humeral ligament.

Negative Sign (Test is NEGATIVE):
A negative test is the absence of pain or popping sensation during the resisted movement.

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