Execution
- 1Position the patient in upright sitting.
- 2Stand posterolateral to the tested shoulder.
- 3Place the index or middle finger on top of and slightly behind the clavicular shaft.
- 4Bring the patient’s shoulder into full flexion while palpating clavicular movement.
- 5Compare the timing and direction of clavicular movement with the opposite side.
Positive outcome
The test is abnormal when the clavicle deviates from its expected movement pattern during shoulder flexion. Normal motion includes early elevation and forward rotation, followed by downward movement and posterior rotation after roughly 45° of flexion.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baertschi et al. (2013) | κ = 0.63-0.84 | NA | NA | NA | NA |
CommentThis test screens clavicular contribution to shoulder elevation rather than identifying a specific lesion. Palpation-based motion tests are examiner-dependent and should be interpreted against the patient’s symptoms, side-to-side comparison, and full shoulder complex assessment. Reliability evidence exists, but diagnostic validity is not established.