| Empty can/Full can tests | |
|---|---|
| Purpose | diagnose shoulder injuries |
The empty can test (Jobe's test) and full can test are used to diagnose shoulder injuries. Specifically, these physical examination maneuvers examine the integrity of the supraspinatus muscle and tendon.[1]
Test procedures
In both tests, the patient is placed in a standing or sitting position, and the arms are raised parallel to the ground in the scapular plane.[2] The tests differ in the rotation of the arm; in the empty can test, the arm is rotated to full internal rotation (thumb down) and in the full can test, the arm is rotated to 45° external rotation, thumb up.[1] Once rotated, the clinician pushes down on either the wrists or the elbow, and the patient is instructed to resist the downward pressure.[1][2][3]
Test results
The test is considered positive if weakness, pain or both are present during resistance.[1][2][3] A positive test result suggests a tear to the supraspinatus tendon or muscle, or neuropathy of the suprascapular nerve.[3]
Effectiveness
In Orthopedic Physical Assessment Atlas and Video (2011), Magee and Sueki provide the following data on the interrater reliability, specificity, and sensitivity data regarding the Empty can test.[1]
| Reliability | k = 0.43 |
| Specificity | 62% - 89.5% |
| Sensitivity | 25% - 88% |
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Magee, David J; Sueki, Derrick (2011). Orthopedic Physical Assessment Atlas and Video: Selected Special Tests and Movements. St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders. pp. 122t, 126. ISBN 978-1-4377-1603-0.
- 1 2 3 Konin, Jeff G; Wiksten, Denise L; Isear, Jerome A; Brader, Holly (2006). Special Tests for Orthopedic Examination (3rd ed.). Thorofare, New Jersey: SLACK incorporated. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-55642-741-1.
- 1 2 3 Loudon, Janice; Marcie, Swift; Bell, Stephania (2008). The Clinical Orthopedic Assessment Guide. Lower Mitcham, South Australia: Human Kinetics. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-7360-6709-6.