Execution
- 1Position the patient standing with the elbow extended and forearm supinated.
- 2Flex the shoulder to approximately 90° or asks the patient to hold that position.
- 3Apply downward resistance to the distal forearm or wrist.
- 4Palpate or monitors the bicipital groove region as the patient resists.
- 5Compare anterior shoulder pain and weakness with the opposite side.
Positive outcome
Pain localized to the bicipital groove or anterior shoulder during resisted forward flexion is positive. Profound weakness on resisted supination should raise concern for significant distal biceps injury rather than SLAP alone.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holtby & Razmjou (2004) | NA | 32 | 75 | 1.28 | 0.91 |
| Hegedus et al. (2008) — systematic review | NA | 32 | 61 | NA | NA |
CommentSpeed’s is commonly taught but weak for SLAP diagnosis as a single test. It may be more useful for anterior shoulder / biceps irritability than for labral confirmation. Combine with history, bicipital tunnel palpation, O’Brien, and throwing-related tests when considering the biceps-labrum complex.
Low Clinical Value