Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Drop Arm Test

also known as Codman test
🎬
Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

Passively abduct the patient's arm above 90°, then ask them to slowly lower it to the side. A positive test is inability to lower the arm smoothly and under control, with the arm dropping suddenly or giving way.

How to Interpret

Showing all 2 findings

Subacromial Impingement

Drop-arm test positive
Rule in
Somewhat helpful
Rule out
Not helpful
Evidence:Strong

Supraspinatus Tendinopathy

Drop-arm test positive
Rule in
Not helpful
Rule out
InconclusiveWide CI
Evidence:Limited

References

  • Alqunaee M, Galvin R, Fahey T. Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for subacromial impingement syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012;93(2):229-236. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2011.08.035. PMID 22289231.
  • Balevi Batur E, Bekin Sarikaya PZ, Kaygisiz ME, Albayrak Gezer I, Levendoglu F. Diagnostic Dilemma: Which Clinical Tests Are Most Accurate for Diagnosing Supraspinatus Muscle Tears and Tendinosis When Compared to Magnetic Resonance Imaging? Cureus. 2022 Jun 13;14(6):e25903. doi:10.7759/cureus.25903. PMID: 35844349. PMCID: PMC9278872. Open access, CC BY 4.0.
  • Codman EA. The Shoulder: Rupture of the Supraspinatus Tendon and Other Lesions in or About the Subacromial Bursa. Boston: Thomas Todd Co; 1934.

Research last updated September 10, 2026.

Related Systems / Regions

MusculoskeletalUpper Extremities

Related Bedside Tests

🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Empty Can Test
aka Jobe test
Rule in:SHSupraspinatus Tear, MHSubacromial Impingement, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy
Rule out:SHSubacromial Impingement, MHSupraspinatus Tear, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Hawkins Impingement Sign
aka Hawkins-Kennedy test
Rule in:MHSubacromial Impingement, ICSupraspinatus Tendinopathy, IERotator Cuff Tendinopathy +1 more
Rule out:SHSubacromial Impingement, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy, IERotator Cuff Tendinopathy +1 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Neer Impingement Sign
aka Neer test
Rule in:MHSubacromial Impingement, NHRotator Cuff Tear, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy +2 more
Rule out:SHSubacromial Impingement, NHRotator Cuff Tear, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy +2 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Lift-off Test
aka Gerber test
Rule in:VHSubacromial Impingement
Rule out:MHSubacromial Impingement
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Supraspinatus Palpation
aka Rent test; transdeltoid palpation
Rule in:VHSupraspinatus Tear, IESubacromial Bursitis, IESupraspinatus Tendinopathy
Rule out:VHSupraspinatus Tear, IESubacromial Bursitis, IESupraspinatus Tendinopathy
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Cross-body Adduction Test
aka Scarf test
Rule in:NHAcromioclavicular Joint Pathology
Rule out:NHAcromioclavicular Joint Pathology