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 at the side, stand behind the patient and flex the elbow to 90°. Grasp the distal arm and gently draw the elbow backward to extend the shoulder, bringing the greater tuberosity and rotator cuff insertion out from under the acromion. Place the fingers of your other hand immediately in front of the anterior margin of the acromion, and maintain gentle pressure while rotating the arm internally and externally. A positive finding is a palpable depression in the rotator cuff with a prominence just distal to it that moves beneath your fingers.

How to Interpret

Supraspinatus Tear

Full-thickness Supraspinatus Tear

Palpable defect or step-off in the supraspinatus tendon

Rule in

Very helpfulDerived CI

Rule out

Very helpfulDerived CI

Evidence:Limited

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.
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.

Research last updated September 10, 2026.