Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests directed to the long head of biceps tendon in a surgical population: a combination of old and new tests.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to examine the clinical utility of old and new clinical tests directed to the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) and to quantify the importance of proper test interpretation. METHODS: A consecutive 65 patients scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery were selected. Before surgery, 5 clinical tests were performed: Speed, Yergason, upper cut, biceps resisted flexion (BRF), and modified BRF (mBRF) using a dumbbell. Pain in an area other than the bicipital groove was noted. The presence of LHBT disease was assessed at arthroscopy, and the clinical utility of the tests was calculated. RESULTS: The upper cut test was the most sensitive test and the one with the lowest negative likelihood ratio (0.90 and 0.26, respectively); the Yergason test was the most specific and the one with the highest positive likelihood ratio (0.83 and 2.20, respectively). BRF strength did not correlate with an LHBT lesion. The mBRF test has a sensitivity of 0.34 and a specificity of 0.75. Higher age predicted an increased risk of an LHBT lesion (1.2 times). Different interpretations of the tests can result in a difference of up to 29 percentage points in performance (ie, sensitivity). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the upper cut test should be used as a screening test and that after a positive result, the Speed and the Yergason tests should be used as confirmatory tests.

Diagnostic Dilemma: Which Clinical Tests Are Most Accurate for Diagnosing Supraspinatus Muscle Tears and Tendinosis When Compared to Magnetic Resonance Imaging?

BACKGROUND:  The study aims to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of five clinical shoulder tests in the diagnosis of supraspinatus tears and tendinosis when compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS:  A total of 116 shoulders of 106 consecutive patients who experienced shoulder pain were assessed for this cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study. Patients were assessed with the most commonly used clinical shoulder tests, including the Jobe test (empty can), Neer test, drop arm test, Hawkins test, and full can test to identify supraspinatus tears and tendinosis. MRI examinations were performed on a 1.5 Tesla MRI system, and images were assessed by a blinded radiologist. The primary outcomes were to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the five clinical tests and to establish their correlation with MRI for supraspinatus tears and tendinosis. RESULTS: The Hawkins test had a higher sensitivity and accuracy when diagnosing tears (sensitivity 89.66% [95% CI, 78.83-96.11] and accuracy 56.03% [95% CI, 46.51-65.23], respectively) and higher sensitivity in tendinosis (79.07% [95% CI, 63.96-89.96]). The drop arm test had a lower sensitivity but higher specificity in both tendinosis and tears (sensitivity 0% [95% CI, 0-8.22] and 12.07% [95% CI, 4.99-23.29], respectively, and specificity 87.67% [95% CI, 77.88-94.21] and 96.5% [95% CI, 88.09-99.58], respectively). The Neer test had a higher positive predictive value (PPV) of 37.21% in diagnosing tendinosis. When compared to the Hawkins test, the combination of the clinical tests had no statistically significant contribution to sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION: The Hawkins test had higher accuracy in diagnosing tears and was the most sensitive in diagnosing supraspinatus tendinosis and tears when compared to the MRI findings. The Neer test may also be another reliable tool for the diagnosis of tendinosis due to its higher PPV.

Tests for diagnosing subacromial impingement syndrome and rotator cuff disease.

Clinical examination techniques need to allow the physician to determine the underlying pathology of a patient's condition with confidence. This review examines the evidence for two common conditions: impingement and rotator cuff disease.