Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Shoulder Palpation

🎬
Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

Begin by carefully palpating the area of pain or other concern. Palpate the sternoclavicular joint, clavicle, acromioclavicular joint, acromion, coracoid process, greater tuberosity, and bicipital groove as clinically indicated. Compare paired structures bilaterally. Note any focal tenderness, swelling, or warmth.

How to Interpret

Showing 2 of 3 findings

Acromioclavicular Joint Pathology

Tenderness over the acromioclavicular joint
Rule in
Not helpfulDerived CI
Rule out
InconclusiveWide CI
Evidence:Limited

Biceps Tendinopathy

Tenderness over the bicipital groove
Rule in
Minimally helpful
Rule out
InconclusiveWide CI
Evidence:Limited

References

  • Walton J, Mahajan S, Paxinos A, Marshall J, Bryant C, Shnier R, Quinn R, Murrell GAC. Diagnostic values of tests for acromioclavicular joint pain. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004 Apr;86(4):807-812. doi:10.2106/00004623-200404000-00021. PMID 15069148.
  • Jain NB, Luz J, Higgins LD, Dong Y, Warner JJP, Matzkin E, Katz JN. The diagnostic accuracy of special tests for rotator cuff tear: the ROW cohort study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2017;96(3):176-183. PMID: 27386812.
  • Jain NB, Luz J, Higgins LD, Dong Y, Warner JJP, Matzkin E, Katz JN. The diagnostic accuracy of special tests for rotator cuff tear: the ROW cohort study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2017 Mar;96(3):176-183. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000000566. PMID 27386812.
  • Bickley LS, Szilagyi PG, Hoffman RM, Soriano RP. Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
  • Swartz MH. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.

Research last updated September 10, 2026.

Related Systems / Regions

MusculoskeletalUpper Extremities

Related Bedside Tests

🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Cross-body Adduction Test
aka Scarf test
Rule in:NHAcromioclavicular Joint Pathology
Rule out:NHAcromioclavicular Joint Pathology
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Yergason Sign
aka Yergason test
Rule in:SHBiceps Tendinopathy, SHSuperior Labral Tear, IEBiceps Tendon Instability
Rule out:MHBiceps Tendinopathy, IEBiceps Tendon Instability
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Infraspinatus Strength Test
Rule in:SHRotator Cuff Disease, MHInfraspinatus Tear
Rule out:SHInfraspinatus Tear, SHRotator Cuff Disease
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Shoulder Active Range of Motion
Rule in:SHRotator Cuff Disease, IEAdhesive Capsulitis, IEScapular Dyskinesis
Rule out:SHRotator Cuff Disease, IEAdhesive Capsulitis, IEScapular Dyskinesis
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Shoulder Strength
Rule in:HInfraspinatus Tear, SHSupraspinatus Tear, IEBrachial Plexopathy +3 more
Rule out:HSupraspinatus Tear, NHInfraspinatus Tear, IEBrachial Plexopathy +3 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Drop Arm Test
aka Codman test
Rule in:SHSubacromial Impingement, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy
Rule out:NHSubacromial Impingement, ICSupraspinatus Tendinopathy