Which set of tests are commonly used to evaluate a rotator cuff tear?

• A. Impingement, Neer's, Empty Can and Drop Test
• B. Drawer sign
• C. Finkelstein's Test
• D. Palpable fissure

Answer: (A)

Testing for a suspected rotator cuff tear relies on provocative shoulder maneuvers that stress the rotator cuff tendons and the subacromial space. The impingement-related signs, like the Neer test, reproduce pain when the humeral head narrows the space under the acromion, suggesting impingement that can accompany rotator cuff pathology. The Empty Can test specifically assesses the supraspinatus tendon by having the patient resist elevation with the arm in a position that places the tendon under greater116 stress; weakness or pain here points to supraspinatus involvement. The Drop Arm test checks the ability to hold the arm up in abduction; an inability to maintain position or a sudden drop indicates a rotator cuff tear, usually affecting the supraspinatus. Together, these tests cover pain provocation from impingement and deficits in tendon integrity and function, making them a standard combination for evaluating a rotator cuff tear.

Other options aren’t used for this purpose: the Drawer sign is a knee test for ligaments, Finkelstein's test targets de Quervain’s at the wrist, and a palpable fissure isn’t a recognized diagnostic maneuver for shoulder rotator cuff pathology.