MSK SPECIAL TESTS BOARDS | COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & BOARD
EXAM REVIEW 2026/2027
Yorgason’s Test - correct answer ✔✔Test for integrity of transverse ligament, can identify
bicipital tendinopathy
*positive test is pain or popping
Speed's Test - correct answer ✔✔identifies bicipital tendonosis
*reproduces symptoms in long head of biceps
Neer's impingement test - correct answer ✔✔Test for impingement of soft tissue structures of
shoulder complex (long head of biceps/ supraspinatus tendon)
* positive test is pain within shoulder region
Supraspinatus (empty can) test - correct answer ✔✔identifies tear and/or impingement of
supraspinatus tendon
*reproduces pain in supraspinatus tendon and/or weakness while in empty can position
drop arm test - correct answer ✔✔identifies tear and/or full rupture of RC
*patient unable to lower arm back down to side and arm falls
posterior internal impingement test - correct answer ✔✔identifies an impingement between
rotator cuff and greater tuberosity or posterior glenoid and labrum
*reproduction of pain in posterior shoulder during test
*tested supine unlike picture
clunk test - correct answer ✔✔identifies glenoid labrum tear
*audible clunk heard while performing test
, anterior apprehension sign - correct answer ✔✔identify past/ current hx of anterior dislocation
*patient does not allow/ doesnt like shoulder to move directly into simulate anterior dislocation
posterior apprehension sign - correct answer ✔✔identifies current/ past history of posterior
shoulder dislocation
*patient doesnt allow/ doesnt like to move shoulder in direction to simulate posterior
dislocation
AC shear test - correct answer ✔✔identifies dysfunction of AC joint
* reproduces pain in AC joint
Adson's test - correct answer ✔✔identifies pathology of structures that pass through thoracic
inlet; specifically scalenes
*neurological and/or vascular symptoms will be reproduced in UE
costoclavicular test - correct answer ✔✔identifies pathology of structures that pass through
thoracic inlet
*neurological and/or vascular symptoms will be reproduced in UE
hyperabduction (wright) test - correct answer ✔✔identifies pathology of structurest hat pass
through thoracic inlet
*neurological/ vascular symptoms noted in UE
Roos test - correct answer ✔✔identifies pathology of structures that pass through thoracic inlet
* neurological/ vascular symptoms will be reproduced in UE
EXAM REVIEW 2026/2027
Yorgason’s Test - correct answer ✔✔Test for integrity of transverse ligament, can identify
bicipital tendinopathy
*positive test is pain or popping
Speed's Test - correct answer ✔✔identifies bicipital tendonosis
*reproduces symptoms in long head of biceps
Neer's impingement test - correct answer ✔✔Test for impingement of soft tissue structures of
shoulder complex (long head of biceps/ supraspinatus tendon)
* positive test is pain within shoulder region
Supraspinatus (empty can) test - correct answer ✔✔identifies tear and/or impingement of
supraspinatus tendon
*reproduces pain in supraspinatus tendon and/or weakness while in empty can position
drop arm test - correct answer ✔✔identifies tear and/or full rupture of RC
*patient unable to lower arm back down to side and arm falls
posterior internal impingement test - correct answer ✔✔identifies an impingement between
rotator cuff and greater tuberosity or posterior glenoid and labrum
*reproduction of pain in posterior shoulder during test
*tested supine unlike picture
clunk test - correct answer ✔✔identifies glenoid labrum tear
*audible clunk heard while performing test
, anterior apprehension sign - correct answer ✔✔identify past/ current hx of anterior dislocation
*patient does not allow/ doesnt like shoulder to move directly into simulate anterior dislocation
posterior apprehension sign - correct answer ✔✔identifies current/ past history of posterior
shoulder dislocation
*patient doesnt allow/ doesnt like to move shoulder in direction to simulate posterior
dislocation
AC shear test - correct answer ✔✔identifies dysfunction of AC joint
* reproduces pain in AC joint
Adson's test - correct answer ✔✔identifies pathology of structures that pass through thoracic
inlet; specifically scalenes
*neurological and/or vascular symptoms will be reproduced in UE
costoclavicular test - correct answer ✔✔identifies pathology of structures that pass through
thoracic inlet
*neurological and/or vascular symptoms will be reproduced in UE
hyperabduction (wright) test - correct answer ✔✔identifies pathology of structurest hat pass
through thoracic inlet
*neurological/ vascular symptoms noted in UE
Roos test - correct answer ✔✔identifies pathology of structures that pass through thoracic inlet
* neurological/ vascular symptoms will be reproduced in UE
