Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Supraspinatus Palpation

also known as Rent test; transdeltoid palpation
🎬
Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

With the patient seated or standing and the arm relaxed at the side, stand behind the patient and grasp the distal arm with the elbow flexed to 90°. Passively extend the glenohumeral joint to bring the greater tuberosity and cuff insertion out from under the acromion, then palpate just anterior to the acromial margin while gently rotating the arm internally and externally. A positive finding is a palpable sulcus or ‘rent’ (a soft-tissue defect about a finger-width deep) in the cuff.

How to Interpret

Showing 0 of 3 findings
This test’s findings are all below your current evidence filter.

References

  • Wolf EM, Agrawal V. Transdeltoid palpation (the rent test) in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2001;10(5):470-473. PMID: 11641706.
  • Hermans J, Luime JJ, Meuffels DE, Reijman M, Simel DL, Bierma-Zeinstra SM. Does this patient with shoulder pain have rotator cuff disease? The Rational Clinical Examination systematic review. JAMA. 2013;310(8):837-847. PMID 23982370. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.276187.
  • Codman EA. The Shoulder: Rupture of the Supraspinatus Tendon and Other Lesions in or About the Subacromial Bursa. Boston, MA: Thomas Todd Co; 1934:123-177.

Related Systems / Regions

MusculoskeletalUpper Extremities

Related Bedside Tests

🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Hawkins Impingement Sign
aka Hawkins-Kennedy test
Rule in:MHSubacromial Impingement, NHSupraspinatus 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:MHRotator Cuff Tear, MHSubacromial Impingement, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy +2 more
Rule out:SHSubacromial Impingement, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy, IERotator Cuff Tendinopathy +1 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Drop Arm Test
aka Codman's test
Rule in:SHSubacromial Impingement, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy
Rule out:NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Empty Can Test
aka Jobe's test
Rule in:SHSupraspinatus Tear, MHSubacromial Impingement, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy
Rule out:SHSubacromial Impingement, MHSupraspinatus Tear, NHSupraspinatus Tendinopathy
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Cross-body Adduction Test
aka Scarf test
Rule in:IEAcromioclavicular Joint Pathology
Rule out:IEAcromioclavicular Joint Pathology
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Infraspinatus Strength Test
Rule in:SHRotator Cuff Disease, MHInfraspinatus Tendon Tear
Rule out:SHInfraspinatus Tendon Tear, SHRotator Cuff Disease