Execution
- 1Position the patient in upright sitting.
- 2Stand on the side of the shoulder being examined and observe the lateral border and inferior angle of the scapula.
- 3Bring the patient’s arm into maximal shoulder flexion.
- 4Assess whether the axillary hairline aligns with the inferior angle of the scapula at end-range flexion.
- 5Compare the finding with the opposite shoulder.
Positive outcome
Posterior tilting of the scapula is restricted if the inferior angle of the scapula remains behind the axillary hairline at maximal flexion. The finding suggests reduced scapulothoracic posterior tilt rather than isolated glenohumeral pathology.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baertschi et al. (2013) | κ = 0.63-0.84 | NA | NA | NA | NA |
CommentThis is a mobility / quality test for shoulder-girdle mechanics, not a diagnostic-accuracy test. The Baertschi study supports interrater reliability for the Stenvers mobility-test group, but validity and treatment implications remain uncertain. Use it as a segmental movement screen when shoulder flexion is slightly restricted. Sourcing note: Stenvers I-IV are not labelled under that name in the searchable Magee PDF text; the procedural detail is reconstructed from the Stenvers / Baertschi shoulder-girdle mobility battery.