Execution
- 1Position the patient sitting with the back supported and the shoulder abducted to 90°.
- 2Support the elbow in 90° flexion.
- 3Apply an axial compression force through the humerus into the glenoid.
- 4Elevate the arm diagonally upward while applying a downward and backward force to the proximal arm.
- 5Note sudden posterior pain or clicking.
Positive outcome
Sudden posterior shoulder pain or a painful click is positive. Magee lists this as Kim test / biceps load I for posteroinferior labral lesions rather than the type-II SLAP-focused biceps load II position.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kim et al. (1999) | 0.846 | 91 | 97 | 30.3 | 0.09 |
CommentThere is naming confusion: Magee’s Kim test / biceps load I text describes a posteroinferior labral lesion test, while the original biceps load test literature targets SLAP in shoulders with recurrent anterior dislocation. Keep the label and procedure clear in the UI to avoid mixing Kim’s posterior labrum test with biceps load II.
High Clinical Value